Destroyed in the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11 and stitched back together seven years later by tornado survivors in Greensburg, Kansas, is a living testament to the resilience and compassion of the American people.

Currently on a journey across America through the 10th Year Anniversary of 9/11, the goal of The National 9/11 Flag Tour is to display this historic flag at leading venues nationwide, to empower local service heroes in all 50 states with the privilege of stitching the flag back to its original 13-stripe format, and to inspire 300 million Americans with the flag's rich visual history in order to deepen our sense of citizenship and national pride and bolster the spirit of volunteerism on the 9/11 Anniversary and year-round.

When complete, The National 9/11 Flag will become a part of the permanent collection of The National September 11 Memorial Museum currently being built at Ground Zero.

Jeff Parness of the The New York Says Thank You Foundation, and Jimmy Sands and Mark Madina were here to talk about the tour.

New York City Comptroller John Liu stopped by to talk about the launch of CheckbookNYC.com.

The site provides unprecedented access to view and track how New York City government spends money. Over $35 billion in City expenditures since January 1 are now accessible on the site.

Actor Shaun Toub stopped by to talk about his starring role as Uncle Iroh in M. Night Shyamalan's new movie The Last Airbender.

"Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world. Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film “The Last Airbender” is the opening chapter in Aang’s struggle to survive," says IMDB of the movie.

The Last Airbender debuts in theaters today.

Lachi is a singer, songwriter, pianist and author based in New York City. Her music is often described as jazz influenced, piano driven alternative rock.

Lachi is also legally blind. Now a leading advocate for blind musicians in and around New York City, Lachi performs with a very talented band of all blind musicians (Andre Donatien on guitar, Jaime Diaz on bass and Jimmy Fontanez on drums).

This morning she performed a song from her self-titled album Lachi, which will be available in stores on July 27.

For more on Lachi, visit www.ulachi.com.

These days, it's not just the "kids" tweeting away. Even your mom is probably LOL'ing and RT'ing. Did you know you can get great beauty advice on Twitter? Stopping by with the best tweeters to help you look your best is beauty expert Rebekah George who says you can get up-to-the-second beauty advice, new product news, and even have a chance to win free samples.

@DERMTV - Dr. Neil Schultz, an NYC cosmetic dermatologist in private practice
Top Tweet: "It's yet to be determined if UV nail polish dryers can cause skin cancer. In the meantime, it's best to say no to a UV dryer - use a fan or a quick dry top coat instead."
Recommended Product: Poshe Super-Fast Drying Top Coat speeds up drying time and keeps polish bright. $7.50

@ASKBOBBIBROWN - Makeup maven, makeup artist and creator of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
Top Tweet: "If warm weather makes your skin oily, try a foundation w/silica beads which help soak up oil, like Natural Finish Foundation SPF15")
Recommended Product: Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Foundation SPF 15 an oil-free, soft-matte finish that doesn't melt off skin. $45

Actor Noah Ringer stopped by to talk about his starring role as the title character Aang in M. Night Shyamalan's new movie The Last Airbender.

"Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world. Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film “The Last Airbender” is the opening chapter in Aang’s struggle to survive," says IMDB of the movie.

The Last Airbender debuts in theaters today.

Ten winners will receive the opportunity to host a Linda's Backyard BBQ at their home and appear live on the PIX11 Morning News a designated Friday between July 2, 2010 and September 3, 2010.

Click here to enter.

Each week we're telling viewers about events, activities and items that are free. That's right! No money required.

Ohis week's free list:
1. Pool Party at McCarren Park, NYC
2. Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, NYC

We had a lot of valuable baseball memorabilia in the studio this morning. David Hunt from Hunt Auctions is told us about the upcoming baseball auction, and showed us some cool items.

• 1909 Honus Wagner Tobacco Card Proof Strip (Est. $250,000+)
• Rookie era Mickey Mantle 1951 World Series professional model baseball bat (Est. $100,000-$150,000)
• Roberto Clemente autographed professional model glove c.1967 (Est. $30,000-$40,000)
• Chili Davis 1999 New York Yankees World Series ring (Est. $20,000-$30,000)
• Exceptional Babe Ruth and Mel Ott autographed baseball (Est. $20,000-$30,000)

For more on the Hunt Auction House and its upcoming baseball auction, visit www.huntauctions.com.

Today we talked about tickets you can get to concerts under face value. That's 25% to 50% off the original price! Ety Rybak, co-founder of Inside Sports & Entertainment Group, was here with the scoop.

They included:
Michael Buble
Mohegan Sun
July 2, 3, and 4

Bon Jovi w/ Kid Rock
Meadowlands
July 9

Lady Gaga
Boardwalk Hall
July 4

Tim McGraw & Lady Antebellum
Susquehanna Bank Arts Center
July 9

Aventura
Izod Center
July 11

For any of the above tickets call Inside Sports & Entertainment Group at 212-686-5710. Click here to read the rules.

We're raising the steaks by making inexpensive cuts of meat taste like their expensive counterparts. Dr. Marinade, himself, Chef Joshua Tepperberg was here with the juicy details.

He showed us how to make a flank steak ($12.99/lb.) taste like a New York strip ($27.99/lb); a rump roast ($8.99/lb.) taste like a filet mignon ($27/lb.); and a London broil ($12.99/lb.) taste like a rib eye ($30/lb.).

A special thanks to Citarella for providing the food. For more on Dr. Marinade, visit www.drmarinade.com.

Actress Yvette Nicole Brown stopped by to talk about her role as Shirley on the hit NBC comedy Community and the second season fo the show.

"Community a smart comedy series about a band of misfits who attend Greendale Community College. At the center of the group is Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), a fast-talkin' lawyer whose degree has been revoked. With some help from his fellow classmates, Winger forms a study group who eventually learn more about themselves than their course work," says NBC of the show.

Community airs Thursdays at 8pm.

A new American car company, The Vehicle Production Group, is unveiling the revolutionary MV-1 vehicle on the streets of New York as part of a 27-city road show.

The MV-1 is the first factory-built, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, wheelchair-accessible vehicle. The MV-1 will make a stop at both The Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and Edgewater Towne Centre in Edgewater, N.J.

Interested consumers will be able to experience firsthand the vehicle's unparalleled accessibility and learn about its car-like ride and comfort with truck-like safety and durability.

For more information, visit www.vpgautos.com.

Actor and The Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi stopped by to talk about starring as the villian Commander Zhao in M. Night Shyamalan's new movie The Last Airbender.

"Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world. Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film The Last Airbender is the opening chapter in Aang’s struggle to survive," says IMDB of the movie.

The Last Airbender debuts in theaters today.

Personal trainer Sara Haley showed us that you don't have to leave the shore to get in shape. She taught us the beach towel workout.

• Tip Toe Runs: works core, calves, quads and heart
• Moving Tree: works core, upper back and gluts
• Hippity Hop: works outer thighs, core and heart
• Tricep Pulse: works triceps and back

To find out how you can workout with Sara, visit www.sarahaley.com/fitness.html.

You still have a little of the Fourth oF July weekend left. So, enjoy the great weather and cool off with refreshing cocktails. John Henry from Pipe Lime showed us how to make a few refreshing summer drinks, including the The DonQ Mojito, The Tequila Daisy and The Gold Rush.

The DonQ Mojito
- Don Q Mojito Rum (full bottle)
- Soda water
- Lime
- Mint

1. Top with soda water, lime and mint in a pitcher
2. Serve in highball glasses full of ice.

Greg Olsen, a New Jersey scientist-entrepreneur, who in 2005 became the third private citizen to orbit the Earth on the International Space Station, has written a new book, By Any Means Necessary! An Entrepreneur's Journey into Space.

The Brooklyn-born Olsen divides his time between homes in Princeton, N.J. and in Manhattan. The book chronicles his transformation from an underachieving high school student in Bergen County to a prominent scientist and entrepreneur to his incredible journey to the International Space Station.

By Any Means Necessary! An Entrepreneur's Journey into Space is available in bookstores now. For more information, visit ghoventures.com.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer stoped by to talk about his new film The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which stars Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer, Monica Bellucci and Toby Kebbell.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is an innovative and epic comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil.

Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice makes it debut in theaters on July 14.

Actress Elizabeth Reaser stopped by the studio to talk about her role as Esme Cullen in the third installment of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

"Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob -- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life," saus IMDB of the film.

Eclipse is in theaters now. For more information, visit www.eclipsethemovie.com.

Aussie actor Xavier Samuel stopped by the studio to talk about his role as Riley in the third installment of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse. He also spoke about wrapping up shooting of his upcoming period movie about Shakespeare titled Anonymous.

"Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob -- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life," saus IMDB of the film.

Eclipse is in theaters now. For more information, visit www.eclipsethemovie.com.

It is possible to get gorgeous in under 10 minutes. These new beauty products promise super-fast, salon-worthy results, but do they deliver? Fitness Magazine puts the claims to the test to see if they can beat the clock, and beauty director Eleanor Langston was here to share the magazine's results.

• Crest 3D White Stain Shield Whitestrips, $34.99
• Benefit One Hot Minute $30
• Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish, $3.30
• Neutrogena Ageless Restoratives 5 Minute Facial, $24.99
• Barielle 60 Second Mani-Pedi, $25
• Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment, $5.99

For more on these beauty products check out the July issue of Fitness or visit www.fitnessmagazine.com.

Semi Precious Weapons are currently on the Monster Ball tour opening for Lady Gaga. The Boston Globe describes their music as a cross between AC/DC and Queen.

They will be playing with her at MSG on July 6, 7 and 9 and will be giving away tickets to each day of show via their Twitter. And a lucky PIX viewer has the chance to win two tickets to Lady Gaga's performance at MSG with Semi Precious Weapons. Alll you have to do is wait for the on-air cue and be the 11th caller to call (866) 414-2911.

Semi Precious Weapons' album You Love You is available in stores now. For more information, visit www.semipreciousweapons.com.

Singer/songwriter Bryan Fenkart currently stars on Broadway in "Memphis," but stopped by to tell us about his upcoming live show (with a full band) at The Bitter End on Monday, July 12 at 9:30 PM.

He gave us a taste of his music with his song "I Miss You." His debut album Imperfect Man is available in stors now. Fenkart is currently working on his second album, due out later this year, called SImple and Gray.

For more on Fenkart, visit www.myspace.com/bryanfenkart.

Read the full story: "Private Bus Line Seeks To Profit On MTA Cuts."

We've all heard that you can't judge a book by its cover, but Kathryn Eisman, author of the book How To Tell A Woman By Her Handbag, says she can judge your personality just by the bag you're carrying. She went over the oversized tote bag, medium-sized bag, funky unusual bag and small no-frills purse.

How To Tell A Woman By Her Handbag, and her other book How To Tell A Man By His Shoes, are available in stores now. For more information, visit www.kathryneisman.com.

Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first ever "Kids Bowl Free" program.

This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.

Log onto kidsbowlfree.com to find a participating bowling center near you, and to register for kids to get 2 free games a day of bowling all summer long.

Lisa Mateo will be live bowling with kids at AMF Strike 'N Spare Lanes, located at 380 US Highway 22, Green Brook, NJ.

Today we talked about tickets you can get to concerts under face value. That's 25% to 50% off the original price! Ety Rybak, co-founder of Inside Sports & Entertainment Group, was here with the scoop.

- Sting at Susquehanna Center on Saturday night
- Squeeze & Cheap Trick at Radio City Music Hall on Tuesday night
- Chicago & Doobie Brothers at Jones Beach on Saturday night
- American Idols Live at Mohegan Sun on Tuesday night

For any of the above tickets call Inside Sports & Entertainment Group at 212-686-5710.

We also gave away two free VIP tickets to the 311 show at Jones Beach on Friday. All you have to do to win is be ther 11th caller to (866) 414-2911. Click here to read the rules.

Comedienne Samantha Bee is best known as a correspondent for The Daily Show but is stopping by the studio to tell us more about her latest role as author of memoir, I Know I Am, But What Are You?

Bee also dispelled the buzz currently going around about the male-dominated Daily Show cast and whether or not she was working in a sexist environment.

"I've never personally experienced any kind of gender bias in my work," said the comic. "Nobody ever listens to me when I say that but it's absolutely true."

In her new book, Bee reveals her journey from a young comic in Canada to her current act on Comedy Central. Through a series of bold, laugh-out-loud funny essays, she describes her stint as a teenage car thief, her love affair with Jesus Christ and her career as a Japanese anime character in a touring children's show.

When not writing books, Bee can be seen as The Daily Show's "Most Senior Correspondent," conducting interviews on an array of hapless topics with a knack for provoking answers her subjects are likely to regret.

Be sure to check out the hysterical Samantha Bee's I Know I Am, But What Are You? available in stores now.

Written by Vanessa Misciagna

Read the full story: "Decision Day: LeBron James set to end free-agent suspense with prime-time TV appearance."

Hunter Ryan Herdlicka of Broadway's "A Little Night Music" stopped by live to talk about Broadway Barks!

The 12th Annual Broadway Barks Adopt-A-Thon is taking place Saturday, July 10th in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. Celebrity presentations of pets from citywide animal shelters will take place between 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

A special thanks to the ASPCA for bringing some puppies to the studio! If you're interested in adopting any of the dogs seen on the show call the ASPCA at 212-876-7700 ext. 4120.

Teen drama Degrassi turns 10 and to celebrate, cast members Charlotte Arnold and Raymond Ablack talk about the changes fans can expect to come to the show.

Degrassi will begin its 10th season in a completely new way. For the first time in a decade on the air, episodes will air in a telenovela-style format with a fresh episode premiering every weeknight at 9pm on TeenNick for six straight weeks.

Charlotte Arnold plays Holly J, a determined student council leader who loves being in control of those around her, while Sav, played by Raymond Ablack, loves the idea of a laid back, rocker lifestyle, even though his parents want him to focus less on music and more on engineering.

Catch Holly J, Sav and all the drama of Degrassi starting July 19 through August 27 on TeenNick. For more information and character bios, check out www.teennick.com.

Written by Vanessa Misciagna

Isaiah Mustafa of the Old Spice commercials will be here to talk about the latest one...has 2.6 million hits on youtube.com. Also, Isaiah gets to judge who is the manlier man: "Staten Island" Chuck or anchor John Muller?

Click here to watch the new Old Spice commerical "Questions"

Head chef at Citi Field Flavien Trichery joined us this morning to show us how to make Roasted Chicken Crepes and talk about the upcoming cook-off among the top chefs different stadiums. Chef Flavien runs the Chef Selection stand on the Field Level in the Left Field corner at Citi Field.

However, during baseball's all star weekend, which takes place Julyt 9-13 in Anaheim, California, Chef Flavien and eleven other head chefs from American and National league teams will travel to California and serve up barbecue that best represents their region. In Anaheim, the head chefs will be selling their creations to baseball fans all throughout All-Star weekend, including during the Home Run Derby on July 12. The competition will take place at the first and third base patios at the Angels stadium, where fans will be able to see real-time results as the BBQ competition progresses.

Michel DePaola dropped by the studio to talk about the national "got milk?" Milk Mustache Mobile Tour is coming to New York City July 9-13 as part of a nationwide tour called "Milk the Moment." They'll stop by our studio. Michel will talk about how viewers can get the chance to meet New York Giants' Defensive End, Mathias Kiwanuka and win a trip to San Francisco. John and Suki will get milk mustaches...plus a football toss competition between Steve and Jill.

This morning's Friday forecaster is Yvonne Grillo.

Click here to view past Friday Forecasters.

"The Decision" is finally over and Lebron is going to Miami, hugely disappointing New York fans and embarking on the next phase of his quest for a title.

In the studio today were sportswriter Nando Difino from the Wall Street Journal and Tom Lorenzo from Roto Experts to give there view on whether the King can mesh with his new teammates, if the Heat are the new runaway favorite in the Eastern Division, and which team would have been the best fit.

Supermodel Molly Sims has been on the covers of fashion magazines and has appeared on television and movie screens. She dropped by the studio today to talk about her new venture -- the hot affordable jewelry line appropriately named "Grayce."

She said the collection was inspired by her mother's love of jewelry and her own appreciation for unique accessories. On July 19, Molly will be appearing on the Home Shopping Network to sell pieces from the collection, which retails from $24.99 upwards to $129.95. After multiple trunk shows, Molly is now taking her jewelry to HSN and customers will be able to buy the affordable line, which includes bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings. From bold rings that make a statement to elegant necklaces to wear at night, Grayce by Molly Sims is both affordable and elegant.

For more info on her line, check out her website.

Actress Jill Flint stopped by to talk about her role as Jill Casey on USA's Royal Pains.

Royal Pains is about Dr. Hank Lawson (Mark Feuerstein), who was an up-and-coming emergency room doctor in NYC until a patron of the hospital dies in his care. Reluctant at first, Hank begins his career as a concierge doctor in the Hamptons. Casey plays an administrator at local Hamptons Heritage Hospital, who also is Hank's object of affection.

Flint, of Cherry Valley, New York, previously played the role of Lana Delaney on CBS' The Good Wife. She also had roles on Mercy, Nurse Jackie and Gossip Girl.

Royal Pains airs Thursdays at 9pm on the USA Network.

Yoxing is a hybrid of Power Vinyasa Yoga, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.

The class begins with meditation and breathing, allowing the practitioner to quickly become focused and integrated into the body. The next 30 minutes focuses on power Vinyasa flow which builds strength, conditioning, balance and flexibility.

Next comes Yoxing poses, invented by Greg Bycoff, which combine Yoga poses with striking movements. These typically go for 15-20 minutes. The final few minutes are yoga stretches for cool-down.

Greg showed us the Striking Warrior, Escape From Back, High Lunges and Awkward Chair poses. For more information on yoxing, offered at New York Health and Racquet Club, visit nyhrc.com.

Professional boxer and Brooklyn native Zab Judah stopped by the studio to talk participating in the Brick City Boxing Series at the Prudential Center. He'll be fighting Jose Armando Santa Cruz.

Judah is the "former undisputed welterweight champion, former IBF and WBO junior welterweight champion and was ranked #8 in the welterweight division by The Ring magazine."

For tickets to the fight, visit www.prucenter.com. You can follow Judah on Twitter @SUPERJUDAH.

July 13th is National French Fry Day! Yes this delicious, crunchy treat has its own day of celebration! However, in a time when Americans are battling obesity and bulging waistlines, is it possible to enjoy french fries in a new way or perhaps a more nutritious way to prepare them? Yes there is! Sophie Donelson showed us how.

• Pair Smaller Portions With New Flavor Combos That Really Satisfy- How about almond crunch French fries or garlic French fries to tease and satiate the palette.

• Keep The Skin On - That's where all the nutrients are!

• Try New Variations - Why not opt for a sweet potato version? It has more nutrients than other potatoes and more fiber.

• Consider New Cooking Methods - Try baking or gadgets like the T-Fal Actifry, which can fry up 2 lbs of potatoes with one tablespoon of oil. For more on T-Fal Actifry log onto http://www.nutritiousanddelicious.com/ .

• Think About The Oil You Use - Olive oil or vegetable are best so skip the rest

• Pair With Veggie-Filled Dipping Sauces - Skip the ketchup and mayonnaise based dips and try hummus or a roasted pepper sauce

Brande Roderick, former Playmate of the Year and star of Celebrity Apprentice Season 2, acts as a best friend to women of every age in this fun, comprehensive guide to getting the best out of life. Brande offers eight steps to success that encompass the spectrum of living, in her new book Bounce, Don't Break: Brande's Guide to Life, Love, and Success, including:

• Numero Uno (The Only Person You Can Truly Count On)
• Don't Hate the Playmate (Or Yourself)
• Working Your Way to the Top (Emphasis on Working)
• T&A Won't Get You Ahead (But It Will Get You a Nice Car)
• Smart Girls Finish First (And Retire Comfortably)
• Finding Mr. Right (While Enjoying All the Mr. Right Nows)
• Everything Happens for a Reason (If I Had a Dollar Every Time I Heard That…)
• I'm No Dumb Blonde (Even if Joan Rivers Thinks So)

Danielle Staub from Real Housewives of New Jersey

"The series follows sisters (who happen to be married to brothers) Caroline and Dina Manzo, their sister-in-law, Jacqueline Laurita, long time family friend, Teresa Giudice and the always unpredictable Danielle Staub. Whether they are throwing a family function, out for a night on the town, or just gossiping with the girls – the ladies always find a way to be over the top and stay true to their own Jersey style," according to Bravo.

Real Housewives of New Jersey airs Mondays at 9pm on Bravo.

Read the full story: "Hearing Tuesday on controversial mosque at WTC expected to draw crowds."

Fashion Expert Lawrence Zarian will be here with stylish savings. We'll have a look at clothes for summer, causal, sporty and young Hollywood emsembles that are available right now on sale.

Also, be sure to stop by the JCPenney in Manhattan Mall (33rd Street and 6th Avenue) on Saturday, July 24 for a chance to meet Olypmic Gold Medalist Nastia Liukin for a morning of fashion, gymnastics and fun. Nastia's going to be showing off her brand new clothing line called "Super Girl," which moves in to the stores this month.

Marti Martial Arts Academy is holding its annual fundraiser to benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital's fight against cancer, featuring Martial Arts demonstrations and Star Wars-inspired theatrical light saber performances by the Long Island and New York Jedi on July 17th from 2:45pm to 4pm. Cost is $20/Person.

St. Jude's Children's Cancer Research Center treats patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Lisa Mateo was at Marti Martial Arts Academy (178 Harris Road Bedford Hills, NY 10507) to learn more.

If you have dreams, the movie Standing Ovation is sure to give you assed inspiration. The Wiggies and actress Alanna Palombo stopped by to talk about the movie and to perform "Blush."

"Five junior high school friends form a singing group called "The 5 Ovations" to compete in a national music video contest for a cash prize of one million dollars. With limited funds and resources, these street smart kids use their wits, courage and passion to create spectacular song and dance numbers that compete with their arch rivals "The Wiggies," five rich, talented and unscrupulous sisters who along with their parents, will stop at nothing to win the competition," says the movie's official website.

Standing Ovation hits theaters this Friday.

In honor of Bastille Day, Karen's Cancan Dancers performed live! For more on Karen's Cancan Dancers call (646) 410 -7884.

Former Yankee publicist, author and baseball enthusiast Marty Appel, shared both his positive and negative experiences of working with George Steinbrenner ever since The Boss joined the franchise in January 1973.

"We were very excited for him because it was evident from the start that the man was a winner," said Appel."And for many years of lathargic finishes this was a breathe of fresh air."

He admitted that working for Steinbrenner was unpredictable and "crazy" but along with that craziness was another, less recognized side to The Boss; a softer side. Appel talked about how whenever the team returned from a successful road trip, Steinbrenner himself would personally greet the team at Kennedy airport, sometimes as early as three in the morning.

"He would be there with his driver to congratulate us and pass out $20 bills so everyone could take a cab home from the airport" the publicist recalled. "That was the other side."

Calling all NYC dinosaur fans to join the baby Tyrannosaurus Rex from Walking With Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular to attempt to break a world record for 'loudest dinosaur roar' by an outdoor crowd. As a special incentive, the first 50 people who arrive to participate will receive a free ticket to an upcoming show!

Walking With Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular is a theatrical production, based on the award-winning BBC Television series that follows the journey of 17 roaring, snarling "live" awe-inspiring dinosaurs when they first walked on earth 200 million years ago.

The show returns to Madison Square Garden arena from July 21-25 with 12 performances only!

Tickets are on sale now by calling 866.858.0008, online at www.thegarden.com/dinos or in-person at the Madison Square Garden Box Office.

Want to see the Spectactular? Text to win tickets!.

In celebration of National Berry Month this July, Driscoll’s, the nation's leading producer of fresh berries, and Loews Hotels hosted an official Berry Concierge at each of Loews 17 properties on July 4th weekend.

Today, Chef Stephen Cocker of Loews Hotels stopped by with some "berrylicious" recipes.

Darryl Strawberry, former Yankees' slugger, called the PIX studio today from St. Louis, MO, to talk about George Steinbrenner's legacy and personal relationship with the ball player.

"First of all we lost an icon of New York City and also we lost such a great man of passion and desire," Strawberry said. "He will be dearly missed."

Steinbrenner had a major effect on Strawberry especially. In the mid-ninties, Strawberry was followed by controversies.Due to his situation, Strawberry found it difficult to continue his career as an outfielder until 1996, when The Boss had made the decision to give the player another chance.

"I will always be grateful for every opportunity that he had given me and sticking his neck out for me and not only me but he's done it for so many people," said Strawberry.

The world of baseball continues to commemorate the life of George Steinbrenner and today, acclaimed NY Daily News sportswriter Bill Madden came by our studio to discuss Steinbrenner's lasting legacy on this all-American sport.

Madden is the author of several books such as, Damned Yankees: A No-Holds-Barred Account of Life with 'Boss' Steinbrenner, and Steinbrenner: The Last Lion of Baseball. He describes Steinbrenner's complex personality and fearless attitude towards winning. He tackled many business ventures and is described by Madden as a "visionary when it came to television, especially local television."

Steinbrenner was also a great benefactor to children's causes and Madden believes "the way he'll be remembered is a kinder, and gentler George."

"George was made for New York," said Madden. Indeed, Steinbrenner has made a lasting impact not only in New York, but in the entire world of baseball, and his legacy shall never be forgotten.

Written by Andrea Lontoc

There’s a chill in the air over at Rosa Mexicano. It’s the return of the popular Festival de Helados. This annual ice cream extravaganza is a great way to taste unique flavors. It runs through August 1 and this Saturday, July 17, you can partake in a live demonstration on making ice cream and mixing up new flavors.

Rosa Mexicano chefs will host a free cooking demonstration at Rosa Mexicano Union Square where guests will learn the secret to adding Mexican flavor to rich ice cream and refreshing sorbets to make at home this summer season. Guests who attend will also have a chance to win an ice cream maker that will be raffled off during the demonstration.

Some of the sassy treats featured during this year’s festival are Sea Salted Cajeta ice cream and Tomatillo Lime sorbet and desserts such as Ice Cream Pop Trio, a Mexican Banana Split and more.

Today we talked about tickets you can get to concerts under face value. That's upto 50% off the original price! Ety Rybak, co-founder of Inside Sports & Entertainment Group, was here with the scoop.

Available under face value:
• Santana with Steve Winwood - Sun night at Jones Beach, Tue night at PNC Center, and Wed night at Mohegan Sun
• Meat Loaf - Fri night at PNC Center
• Yankees - Tuesday, wed, thurs vs. Anaheim Angels

Regular price:
• John Mayer - Wednesday, July 21 at Jones Beach
• Dave Matthews Band - Fri and Sat night at Citi Field

For any of the above tickets call Inside Sports & Entertainment Group at 212-686-5710. Click here to read the rules.

We also gave away two tickets to the Dave Matthews Band concert. Congrats to Marcus of Brooklyn for winning the tickets!

Alexandra Cousteau is the daughter of Jacques Cousteau and she's kicking off the official launch of Expedition Blue Planet: North America, a five-month interactive exploration of critical water issues across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The expedition will tour more than 14,500 miles in a biodiesel tour bus converted to serve as a "rolling Calypso" for daily production and web broadcasting of films, photos and findings. In addition to filming a range of critical water issues on the Colorado River, the Gulf Coast, the Tennessee Valley, the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay, Cousteau and her Expedition Team will stop in 20 communities along the route to host watershed action days.

Daily content from the project will be published online through the National Geographic Society's Freshwater Portal.

For more on Expedition Blue Planet: North America, visit environment.nationalgeographic.com.

Geri Brin, a former fashion publishing executive and current web entrepreneur, will join us on set with her latest business endeavor: her son, Colby. Inspired by her determination to find the perfect girl for her own child, Brin has recently launched a dating website to let other mothers do the same.

My Single Kids, a link available on Brin's own website, allows parents to post profiles of their offspring in hopes to finally find them a significant other. Family members can also browse other single kids.

Brin began her website, faboverfifty.com, this past February which features tips and trends for women over fifty.

To post a profile of your single kid or to browse others, like Colby's, go to www.faboverfifty.com.

Written by Vanessa Misciagna

Actress Crista Flanagan plays switchboard operator Lois Sadler on the hit show Mad Men. The program has recently picked up an impressive 17 Emmy nominations. The AMC star however is gaining her own headlines as Playboy's August cover girl.

In celebration of the iconic magazine's 50 year anniversary, Playboy had the actress re-create shoots from the 1960s -- the same era from which Mad Men takes place. Flanagan can be found gracing two different covers as well as an eight-page spread within classic-themed issue.

Before Mad Men, Flanagan was a cast member and comedienne on Fox's MADtv from 2005-2009 and has made many television appearances on shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Practice.

The new season of Mad Men premieres on July 25 but you don't have to wait until then to catch Christa Flanagan; the August issue of Playboy is on newsstands now.

Written by Vanessa Misciagna

Breaking up is hard to do! But, you don't have to wallow in "Splitsville!" Instead, get over that breakup with a little help from makeup! Celebrity Makeup Artist Lauren Lazaro showed us how to get a fresh new look.

Simple Cat Eye and Bright Lips
- Now for all of us that have gone through a breakup you know you can really tell how you’re feeling by looking at your eyes. So to help with the dark circles and puffiness I’ve used the First Aid Beauty Detox Eye Roller (Sephora). To create Jessi’s Cat Eye I used Wet N Wild’s Mega Liner liquid eyeliner (can be found at your local Drug Store) eye liner and simply followed the natural contour of her eye with the tip of the liner brush. You want to follow through to the very outer corner of your eye and leave it with a clean sweep.

- To create Jessi’s Cat Eye I used Wet N Wild’s Mega Liner liquid eyeliner (can be found at your local Drug Store) eye liner and simply followed the natural contour of her eye with the tip of the liner brush. You want to follow through to the very outer corner of your eye and leave it with a clean sweep.

- To complete the eye I used Too Faced Lash Injection Pin Point mascara (can be found at Sephora). When applying Mascara you want to really work the brush into your own lashes so try and follow through from the root of the lash to the very end of the lash… this will help to separate and elongate each lash to give you full long lashes without any clumps!

- To compliment Jessi’s sleek and sexy Cat Eye I used Wet N Wild’s Mega Lip Stick Pencil and Lip Gloss. Simply outline and fill in the lip with Wet N Wild Mega Stick Pencil and top it off with a Mega Lip Gloss for a luscious finish.

First Aid Beauty Detox Eye Roller, $24
Wet 'n Wild Mega Eyeliner, $2.99
Too Faced Pin Point Mascara, $19.50
Wet n' Wild Lip Gloss, $1.99

Popular café and renowned catering company, Cer té of New York opened New York City's first "green" pizzeria. Pizza by Cer té opened April 22nd on Earth Day at 132 East 56th Street between Park and Lexington.

For more on Pizza by Cer té, visit www.Certenyc.com.

Do you like Michael's or Nina's wall design better? Leave a comment and let us know!

Sisters Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis are the stars of the new TLC show DC Cupcakes and stopped by to talk to us about tonight's series premiere.

"Premiering with back-to-back episodes on Friday, July 16, at 10pm, the six-part series follows sisters and business partners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis as they run Georgetown Cupcake, a small cupcakery that they've transformed into a sweeping success," says TLC.

For more On DC Cupcakes, visit tlc.discovery.com. For more on their cupcake shop, visit www.georgetowncupcake.com.

Actor Corbin Bleu, star of Broadway's "In The Heights," stopped by the studio to talk about why getting swabbed is important and about helping Shannon Tavarez, 11, find a bone marrow match to help her fight acute leukemia.

For more information, visit www.matchshannon.com, www.getswabbed.org and www.dkms.org.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A SWAB KIT.

"Love, Loss, and What I Wore," the hit off-Broadway play by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron that features a rotating cast of celebrities. Sharon Lawrence and Haylie Duff both recently joined the cast (along with Penny Fuller, Myra Lucretia Taylor and Ashley Austin Morris), and Lawrence stopped by to talk about the show.

"Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron's intimate collection of vignettes and monologues is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman, as well as on the recollections of the Ephrons' friends. Like the book, this funny and poignant theatrical event uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell stories that all women can relate to. Directed by Karen Carpenter, the production features New York’s most exciting all-star rotating cast, who will perform the piece in four-week cycles," says the shows website.

For tickets and showtimes, visit www.lovelossonstage.com.

819cb0e2-25fe-4087-a5d8-740704387da9
If you have dreams, the movie Standing Ovation is sure to give you added inspiration. Actor James Brolin stopped by to talk about executive producing the movie.

"Five junior high school friends form a singing group called "The 5 Ovations" to compete in a national music video contest for a cash prize of one million dollars. With limited funds and resources, these street smart kids use their wits, courage and passion to create spectacular song and dance numbers that compete with their arch rivals "The Wiggies," five rich, talented and unscrupulous sisters who along with their parents, will stop at nothing to win the competition," says the movie's official website.

Standing Ovation hits theaters today.

This week on the PIX Morning News, we are leading a week-long effort to bring awareness to the need for bone marrow donors. It's called "PIX Get Swabbed" and it's inspired by 11-year-old Shannon Tavarez, star of the broadway musical "The Lion King."

Tavarez, a native of Queens, already had a promising Broadway career performing four shows a week as Young Nala in the hit show. Shannon juggled a full day of school before rushing to the Minskoff Theatre -- she was living her dream. Now, just two months later, Shannon's dream is simply to grow up and return to her normal life. In April, Shannon was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia.

The talented young star was performing on stage when the symptoms first hit. Her lower back and legs suddenly started hurting making it difficult for her to perform or even walk.

Now, Shannon lives at Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York in Long Island where she receives daily chemotherapy treatments. A bone marrow transplant from a stranger may be her only chance at survival.

At just 11-years-old Shannon Tavarez was living her dream, starring in Broadway's "The Lion King." But now, the Queens native is simply fighting to live. Diagnosed with acute leukemia, Shannon is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant.

Now the cast and crew of "The Lion King" have come together to help Shannon find a donor. Broadway stars Chaunteé Schuler and Dashaun Young stopped by to talk about Shannon and the bone marrow drive at Minskoff Theatre. The pair also performed “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?”

DKMS and "The Lion King" will be hosting a bone marrow donor drive on Friday, July 23 at the Minskoff Theatre from 10am to 3pm for donors to get swabbed and meet the cast.

For more information, visit www.matchshannon.com, www.getswabbed.org and www.dkms.org.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A SWAB KIT.

Stop by PIX Plaza (42nd Street & 2nd Avenue) today, July 16 from 6am to 9am for bone marrow drive to help Shannon, 11; Esther, 12; and Sofia, 11-months-old, find a much-needed donor.

All you have to do is get your cheek swabbed, and you could help save a life.

Stars of "The Lion King" and "Billy Elliot" as well as WBLS will also be there to help out.

For more information, visit www.matchshannon.com, www.getswabbed.org and www.dkms.org.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A SWAB KIT.

Actors Terry Crews and Randy Couture stopped by to talk about their roles ad Hale Caesar and Toll Road in the ensemble cast of the new action flick The Expendables. Their co-stars include action heroes like the film's writer/director Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Steve Austin, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"The Expendables is a hard-hitting action/thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. Once the mission begins, the men realize things aren't quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal. With their mission thwarted and an innocent life in danger the men struggle with an even tougher challenge, one that threatens to destroy this band of brothers," according to the movie's website.

The Expendables hits theaters on August 13.

It's been four weeks since Linda started "The Body Challenge." How has she done on the exercise and nutrition program? We'll find out.

The Training Ground's Body Challenge is a four-week weight loss program. Your own nutritionist and trainer will work daily with you to achieve a healthy lifestyle and ensure you reach your fitness goals.

Body Challenge Trainer Patrick Malone and Nutritionist Lori Kaufman stopped by to check on Linda's progress. For more on The Body Challenge, visit traininggroundgym.com.

Lisa Mateo is at Six Flags Great Adventure to help Pete Trabucco celebrate the release of his book America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks.

Pete Trabucco is a pilot and roller coaster enthusiast. He has ridden more than 350 roller coasters, but had a fear of them for 40 years. In his book he teaches people how to overcome their fear of rollercoasters and lists the top steel and wooden coasters. Many of his top picks are located at Great Adventure. Lisa and Pete will be riding the park's Bizarro and Nitro rides.

Six Flag Great Adventure is located at 1 Six Flags Blvd. Jackson, New Jersey 08527. America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks is available in bookstores now.

Young actress Joey King, 11, stopped by to talk about her leading role in the new film Ramona & Beezus, in which she stars alongside Selena Gomez, Bridget Moynahan and John Corbett.

"[Ramona & Beezus] follows the misadventures of young grade schooler Ramona Quimby (King) from Beverly Cleary's popular children's book series," says IMDB.

Ramona & Beezus opens in theaters on July 23.

Can you feel the heat? There are plenty of hot summer days ahead. Wendy Diamond, pet lifestyle expert and editorial director of Animal Fair Magazine, was here with suggestions how help your pet cope.

Signs of Pet Heat Stroke: Heavy/loud breathing, a staggering gait, bright red tongue or gums
Treat them by:
- Get animal to a cool place, put cold compress on its belly or wet it down
- If it doesn't seem to help, take your pet to a veterinarian

Tips to Prevent Your Pet From Overheating:
- Do not leave your pet alone in your car
- Animals succumb to heat stroke quicker than humans
- Don't let your dog exercise in hot weather
- Run with your dog in the cooler hours |of the early morning or late evening
- Pets need a cool, shady place to sleep
- Pets need plenty of clean, fresh water, accessible at all times in a tip-proof bowl
- Metal bowls left in the sun can get hot (plastic or ceramic is preferable)
- Feed your pet in the cooler hours
- Be sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date

For more tips, visit www.animalfair.com. Wendy's book It's A Dog's World is available in bookstores and online now.

This summer, sizzle from sunrise to sunset without spending a bundle! Here with fashionable clothes all under $32 is Forever 21 district manager Luis Garcia.

Megan (Sunup)
For a great daytime look, this top can be tucked into a cute pair of casual cuffed shorts for $14.80. This look can be accessorized with gold sandals and some oversized blue sunglasses for $5.80 for a conservative yet cool look!

Megan (Sundown)
For a night on the town she can untuck the blouse and slide on some pleather leggings for only $13.80! Add an embellished belt to sinch the waist for $6.80 and a few bangles and some studded heels and she's given this blouse a whole new vamped up look for when the sun goes down!

Lisa Mateo is celebrating the 100th anniversary of RVing at Nickerson Beach Campground
on Lido Beach.

She spoke to PIX cameraman Jon Fine, who has been RVing with his family for over 40 years. He gave us a tour of his RV and talked about the top RV campgrounds within a three hour drive of New York City.

Lisa also had breakfast with another family at their RV and was joined by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, who talked about the campground and other fun things to do in Nassau County.

Finally, Lisa spoke to Jim McAlpin, owner of Grand Am RV, who gave a history of the 100th anniversary of the RV and and give us a tour of a newer model RV.

Teens are becoming more independent at an earlier age. Well, how about in the kitchen?
Tiana North has put together the cook book, Go-Cook Something! to help work their way around the kitchen. Joining her in the kitchen were 12-year-old Nathalie Page and Linda Church's son Paul Dolan, who never cooks, who helped make Corn Flake Chicken

Go-Cook Something! is available in stores now. For more information, visit go-cooksomething.com.

Comediennes Jane Condon, Maureen Langan and Bernadette Pauley stopped by to talk about everything from the BP oil spill to Mel Gibson's audio tapes.

You can catch them in "If Women Ran the World" at Carolines on Broadway tonight, Wednesday July 21st at 7pm. For tickets or more info log onto www.carolines.com.

The woman who was once a Youtube sensation because of her love for obama, is now using the internet to fight crime.

"Obama girl" Amber Lee Ettinger had more than $5,000 worth of valuables snatched off a loading dock in front of her west new york apartment.

The leadership and practices of the state Independence Party has come under fire recently from several local politicians. One of them is the CEO of Locate Stock Dot Com, John Tabacco. Mr. Tabacco ran as an independent in the race for Staten Island's North Shore Council Seat last year.

Ety Rybak of Inside Sports & Entertainment Group stopped by with the Hottest Tickets in Town. Inside Sports & Entertainment Group is offering PIX viewers tickets to some of the biggest concerts for under face value!

The under face value tickets being offered this week include:
-Goo Goo Dolls
-Lilith Fair
-Willie Nelson
-Rihanna/Ke$ha
-Kings of Leon

For details call Inside Sports & Entertainment Group at 212-686-5710.

To read more about this story, click here.

Platinum selling recording artist, American Idol winner and Broadway star, Taylor Hicks stopped by live! He's embarking on a 20-city national tour beginning this month.

The champion of "American Idol" season 5 will kick off his national tour at the Highline Ballroom on Sunday July 25th at 8 PM and will perform across the country through the end of August.

For tickets or more information log onto TaylorHicks.com.

In today's Free Friday:

Hell's Kitchen SummerFest
Friday, July 23, 2010
12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Come out for this second annual neighborhood event with performances by Rosie's Broadway Kids, the City Parks Foundation PuppetMobile's production of Sleeping Beauty, face painting, games, and more!
Location: May Matthews Playground, Manhattan

Parks Summer 2010 Movie Series: "Antz"
Friday, July 23, 2010
8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
A worker ant comes to terms with his role in society while trying to win the love of a princess. This movie is rated PG, so bring the entire family and enjoy the evening. The movie will begin at dusk.
Location: Maria Hernandez Park, Brooklyn

To help celebrate the local potato farmers and communities that play a role in making America's favorite potato chips, the Frito Lay's brand is putting a mobile farm on the road to bring a taste of the simple life to cities across the country.

The nationwide tour will kick-off in America's most iconic cityscape, Times Square, and then travel to Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas to bring a real-life farm experience to local communities across America.

Attendees will have an opportunity to interact first-hand with growing plants, meet a Lay's potato farmer, visit interactive stations and take home tips and tools to keep on growing at home. Since the brand celebrates simple happiness and includes just three simple ingredients in its classic potato chips, Lay's Mobile Farm is a natural way to bring a farming experience to the city. It also enhances the ongoing celebration of the more than 80 farms and 27 states that grow the potatoes that become Lay's potato chips.

For more information, visit Times Square (Seventh Ave and Broadway, between 42nd and 47th Streets) today from 10am to 6pm or visit www.fritolay.com.

Indie rock band The Cringe are in town for a show at the Highline Ballroom on Tuesday, July 27. They'll be playing hits from their latest album Play Thing, which was released last month.

The Cringe is fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist John Cusimano (who also happens to be Rachael Ray's husband), and features Shawn Pelton on drums, who is part of the Saturday Night Live band and has also played with Bruce Springsteen, and former Guitar World magazine editor James Rotondi.

For more on The Cringe, visit thecringe.com.

Mark Harden (dog trainer) and Tracy Kelly (cat trainer) from Boone's Animals for Hollywood stopped by the studio with the lead dog and cat in the movie Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore. The German Shepard Rowdy and plays Diggs in the film and the Sphynx cat Mesa and plays the character Kitty Galore.

Both are not rescue animals. However, all the animals from the film are from Boone's Animals for Hollywood, where a good number of pets are rescued. Boone uses rescue animals whenever possible. The main thing about these animals is that they know who to hit their marks and can reply to non-verbal cues. They are specially trained to work on film sets.

For more on Boone's Animals for Hollywood, visit www.boonesanimals.com. Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore opens on July 30.

Inspired by the hot new Broadway musical "Memphis," this class at Crunch combines Broadway splendor with roots of rock. Participants will learn the choreography from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee and win tickets to the show.

For more on the class, visit www.crunch.com.

But, not a member!? Well, not a problem!? Download a guest pass to Crunch here.

The heat is on and that means your makeup is probably melting right into your mojito. To keep your liner, foundation, and bronzer in place, beauty expert Rebekah George will be here to share her top tips to keep you looking pretty even through a heatwave.

• Opt for oil-free moisturizer: Olay Total Effects, $19
• Take time to prime: Purple Lab Pearlesque Primer, $30
• Forget the foundation: Rimmel Natural Bronzer, $8
• Switch to cream shadows: Makeup Forever Aqua Cream, $22
• Lock in lip gloss with a liner: CoverGirl Outlast Liner, $6.50
• Line eyes with liquid liner: CoverGirl Liquiline, $8
• Ditch the mascara for curler: Paula Dorf Transformer, $20

For more on Rebekah's beauty tips, visit rebekahgeorge.com.

Dee Snider is known as a radio host, actor and, most notably, Twisted Sister front man. This shock rocker joins the PIX team this morning, however, to tell us about his newest venture as reality TV star on A&E's latest show, Growing Up Twisted.

The show follows Dee, his powerhouse wife Suzette and their four kids as they navigate daily life in a New York suburb with a rock-n-roll twist. They may be a bit off beat, but the Sniders are a tight-knit crew, complete with fiercely independent and strong-willed children: Jesse is balancing being a husband, father and a musician; Shane is the resident funny man; Cody is an aspiring filmmaker; and youngest, Cheyenne is following in the foot steps of her dad as a budding rock star.

Snider also took a moment to talk about his work with March of Dimes' Bikers for Babies; an event helping to raise money for the fight against birth defects, premature births, and infant mortality. For more information on the charity, visit bikersforbabies.org.

You can see for yourself what life under a rock star's roof is really like with Dee and the rest of the Snider's on Growing Up Twisted, premiering tonight on A&E.

Written by Vanessa Misciagna

Dance Your A** Off is the latest weight-loss reality show taking over our television screens. Lisa Ann Walter, head judge and creator, stopped by our studio today to discuss the creation of the show, her relationship with the contestants, as well as her thoughts on Lindsay Lohan.

The hit Oxygen reality series, which encourages contestants to dance off those extra pounds, was actually inspired during Lisa's time on Shall We Dance, the major motion picture starring Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. Lisa had put on extra weight to play the role of Bobbie, the hilariously eager dance student at Miss Mitzie's Dance School. Lisa, who's always loved to dance, used her new dance moves to shed the extra weight. Dance not only became a regular work-out routine, but a helpful tool in her self-confidence and self-image.

"Enough with the self-loathing...just be the best version of you," the actress/comedienne expressed in response to women's harshly critical viewpoint of themselves.

Lisa has also played the role of Chessie, Lindsay Lohan's nanny in The Parent Trap (1998). When asked about her thoughts on Lindsay Lohan's situation, Lisa says we all go through tough times and she hopes the best for her former castmate.

You can catch the actress every Monday night on Oxygen's Dance Your A** Off. Fans can also catch her live tomorrow night at Caroline's for a live stand-up performance from her Laugh Your A** Off Tour.

Written by Andrea Lontoc

Reduce the risk of cancer, stave off depression, and improve brain function. You can help your kids do all of the above, and more, simply by adding certain foods to their diet. Yahoo! Shine's parenting editor Mira Jacob was here with eight power foods that pack the particular nutritional punch needed for kids' growing and developing bodies.

• Blueberries - One of the healthiest fruits due to their antioxidants which protect against heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and improve brain function. With low-sugar cereal or in low fat Greek yogurt.

• Tofu - Especially important for young girls due to its protect affect during and after development. Tofutti 'ice cream,' or boiled and salted edamame.

• Tomatoes - Actually become healthier when cooked,which makes them easy to serve for a dose of lycopene. Whole wheat spaghetti and ground turkey marinara. Whole wheat English muffin pizza.

Recently, the American Society of Anesthesiologists issued a set a guidelines for parents to help them recognize the signs of "robo-tripping," the abuse of over the counter medications. For example, has your child undergone a sudden change in appearance? What about a change in friends and activities?

And parents, if you saw these phrases "g2g p911 and i'm :#)" on your child's cell phone, would you know what they meant?

If you don't, the organization The Partnership for a Drug-Free America can help. They're offering answers to these questions.. As well as a "drug slang" guide to help parents recognize the names for many popular over the counter medications. Visit their site.

By the way, "g2g p911 and i'm :#)" translates to "got to go parent alert and i'm wasted"

CLICK HERE FOR THE GUIDE

He's a total knockout on camera and in the ring. Hunky supermodel and Golden Glove Champ, Ngo Okafor, came by the PIX Morning News Show today. Known as one of the best boxers of his generation, Ngo has won back-to-back Golden Gloves within the first three years of his career! He's also taken over the modeling world, posing alongside fashion icons like Gisele Bundchen in publications like Vogue, W, and ESPN Mag.

Now the most downloaded African-American model's acting career has gone full throttle too! After making various television appearances and wrapping his first feature film The Rebound with Catherine Zeta Jones, the triple-threat is currently working on a documentary. Triumph of the Will is a feature-length documentary that chronicles Ngo's journey from his homeland of Nigeria, to his current career as boxer, model, and actor.

Ngo discusses juggling his boxing and modeling career (he's represented by Wilhelmina Models) as well as his thoughts on being compared to Tyson Beckford.

Watch as he dukes it out with PIX11's own Jill Nicolini and Staten Island Chuck.

Written by Andrea Lontoc

Dr. Christopher Dold, vice president of Veterinary Services for SeaWorld, stopped by the studio with some animals found in the Gulf region including a pelican, alligator and spoonbill bird.

SeaWorld has a 40-year history of rescuing wildlife, including from oil spills. Dr. DOld also did an in-studio demonstration of how oil affects down feathers.

For more on SeaWorld, visit www.seaworld.com.

Legendary baseball player Darryl Strawberry stopped by the studio to talk about being inducted into the NY Mets Hall of Fame.

He also spoke about his charity the Darryl Strawberry Foundation, whose goal is to "ensure quality of life for individuals affected by autism through the development of programs that focus on special education, socialization, and independent skills training in a structured learning and caring environment."

Kamie Crawford, 17, Miss Maryland Teen USA was crowned Miss Teen USA 2010 on July 24th on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The Winston Churchill High student (and captain of the cheerleading squad) is a native of Potomac, MD.

Crawford won a $100,000 scholarship, trips and clothes, and gets to share a New York apartment with Donald Trump's other titleholders -- Miss Universe and Miss USA -- for a year! She's the first contestant from Maryland to have won the Miss Teen USA.

For more on Miss Teen USA 2010 and the competition, visit www.missuniverse.com/missteenusa.

And a special thanks to Clemente's Maryland Crab House of Sheepshead Bay and Montauk! They stopped by with a special taste of Maryland for Miss Teen USA! Clemente's Maryland Crab House is located at: 3939 Emmons Ave. Brooklyn, New York, 718-646-7373 and 448 West Lake Drive, Montauk, New York, 631 668-6677. Thanks Clemente's!

Jill Wood of Park Slope, Brooklyn spoke to Dr. Steve about her two-year-old son, who suffers from Sanflippo Syndrome.

Little Jonah Weishaar was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder that prevents his body from processing certain sugars. Those who suffer from the disorder usually don't live past age 20.

Jill is on the hunt for at lasat 10 others who suffer from Sanflippo Syndrome in order for a pharmacy company to begin a study and search for a cure. To help and for more information, visit www.jonahsjustbegun.org.

Actress Gemma Arterton stopped by the studio to talk about her role as the title character in the upcoming film The Disappearance of Alice Creed. Fans will remember Creed from her roles in Prince of Persia, Clash of the Titans and as Bond girl Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace.

The film is about two ex-cons Danny (Martin Compston) and Vic (Eddie Marsan), who fortify a nondescript British apartment so it can serve as a prison. They kidnap a Alice Creed (Arterton), the daughter of a rich businessman, tie her to a bed and demand ransom. As determined to escape as Vic and Danny are to succeed, Alice enters into a battle of wills which strains the already fractious relationship between the two men. As the deadline for the exchange draws nearer, all three are brought close to breaking point, with Vic and Danny’s foolproof plan descending into a desperate struggle for survival.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed debuts in theaters on August 6.

The Hello JELL-O "Give it a Giggle" Tour, which features a mobile recording studio, is crisscrossing the country in 23 cities this summer in search of the best giggles.

Consumers will be auditioning for an opportunity to have their giggle, selected by Mr. Cosby, featured in a national TV spot.

The Give it a Giggle Tour will be at the Bronx Zoo, Wednesday, July 28 10am to 3pm. For more information, visit kraft.promotions.com.

From an Ivy League school, to the NFL, to Hollywood, Cris D’Annunzio has played almost as many roles in real life as he’s played on the stage and screen. He stopped by to talk about writing and co-starring in the Ray Liotta and Rory Culkin film Chasing 3000, which follows the real-life story of two brothers driving across country to see Baseball Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente get his 3,000 hit with the Pittsburgh Pirates. While the film was made in 2008, it will get its official release on August 6.

Recently, he starred in the acclaimed short film Clemency, which showed at the 2010 Sundance Festival and won several awards from other film festivalsWith his extensive background in entertainment,

In February 2010, Cris debuted his one-man play "Digging Up Dad" to rave reviews at the Ruskin Group Theater in Santa Monica, CA. The autobiographical play revolves around Cris coming to terms with his childhood and his relationship with his mafia-connected, alcoholic father.

We've all stood in front of our closets and uttered the phrase "I have nothing to wear!" But, perhaps we've just got to get a little creative! Here to show us how to re-invent three summer wardrobe staples, is Susan Redstone, style expert and the author of Just Try It On!

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS
As U Wish black dress with metal trim $19.99 at JCPenney
Beach: Barbie Dr Scholls $69 at Famous Footwear; Valentino Sunglasses at Solstice
Work: Cardigan at JCPenney; Carlos Santana Boots. Bisou Bisou Bag
Clubbing: Vest by Allen B at JCPenney; Scarf; Bisou Bisou clutch

Too tired. Too busy. Too much of a headache! There are plenty of reasons why women put sex on the back burner. But, it's time to overcome those issues! Here with tips for getting in the mood is Sharon Liao of Shape Magazine.

• Wash Away Your Worries
Stress inhibits the body from releasing a desire-enhancing hormone called gonadotropin

• Say "Yes" to Cheese
Cheese contains a chemical compound that acts like a stimulant, elevating mood and desire

• Pop Open the Bubbly
Aromas in certain champagnes make your man feel more attracted to you

It is coming to a city near you!

This year's tour of the best new sneakers kicks off in New York City and travels to: Philly, NYC, DC, Charlotte, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Little Rock, Memphis, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles and Sacramento.

These are his hot picks for the season:
• Reebok ZigTECH kids ($70)
• Converse star player EV ($35)
• Asics GEL-Nimbus 12 ($125)
• New Balance NBZip 9500 ($85)
• Jordan RETRO 2 for Foot Locker ($135)
• Nike KOBE5 for Foot Locker ($130)
• Nike AIR WAVY for Foot Locker ($80)
• Jordan RETRO 9 for Foot Locker ($150)

For more, go to www.kiante.com.

Chelsea Clinton's upcoming wedding has been attracting media buzz for the past couple of weeks but does it deserve all the hype? Perrie Samotin, editor at AM New York to walked us through all the frenzy and speculation.

"It's a little confusing knowing what we know about Chelsea," said Samotin, commenting on the usually "under-the-radar" figure. "It's quite a change from what we're used to."

Samotin attributed most of the wedding's attention to her politically-connected parents, who are helping foot the nuptuals' $3 million price tag.

The editor also talked about the exclusive guest list; so exlusive, in fact, that even current President of the United States didn't make the cut.

Inviting Obama "might distract from the couple," said Samotin. "Having all these presidents there wouldn't make for a low key wedding."

For more updates on the Clinton wedding as well as news and entertainment, look for AM New York on newsstands today.

Written by Vanessa Misciagna

http://July 30 is National Cheesecake Day (that's right!) and The Cheesecake Factory will be offering guests any slice of cheesecake for half-price all day, in addition to launching their new flavor, Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake (Chunks of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in Our Original Cheesecake with Layers of Delicious Fudge Cake and Caramel). Lewis schwartz, from The Cheesecake Factory, was here to explain more.

0.25 cents from the sale of every slice of this new cheesecake flavor from July 30, 2010 to July 29, 2011 will be donated to Feeding America, one of the nation's largest hunger relief organizations. Over the last few years, The Cheesecake Factory has donated more than one million dollars to Feeding America.

We're getting the inside scoop to the hottest tickets in town. Ety Rybak will answer his most frequently asked questions. We'll also hear about tickets that go on sale tomorrow and the tickets they're offering for under face value. And one lucky PIX viewer will win two free tickets to a Black Eyed Peas concert next Wednesday.

1. What do I do if I'm sick and can't attend the event?
- $7 a ticket for insurance any illness or travel problems, file claim and get money back
- Through ticketmaster
- Events Insurance

2. What do I do if I have a couple extra tickets that I want to sell?
- You keep a percentage of them and sell them for the people.
- Illegal to sell within a certain area of the venue.
- Have to do it with someone you trust.

3. How do I get tickets if the event is sold out?
- a go to company like there's
- will be different releases

America can't stop talking about Chelsea Clinton's wedding. The media has gone abuzz, airspace has been closed down, and she may even be spending $3 million on her big day.

Bonnie Fuller, editor and founder of Hollywood Life, stopped by our studio today to talk about Chelsea's wedding, as well as past weddings from American presidential families. She breaks down the A-listers and the Clinton family ties to Hollywood. Bonnie even compares this first daughter's wedding to that of English royalty. We talk designer gowns, celebrity guest lists, and the reasons why Chelsea's big day has become the talk of the town.

Written by Andrea Lontoc

Known as one of the most versatile performers of our time, the hilarious Tommy Davidson has made a name as a comedian, actor, singer, and musician. He is perhaps most recognized as an original cast member of hit TV series In Living Color. His impressions of Michael Jackson and Sammy Davis Jr. have become infamous.

He starred opposite leading ladies like Halle Berry in Strictly Business and Jada Pinkett Smith in Bamboozled. Tommy stopped by our studio this morning to talk about his latest stand-up act at Caroline's on Broadway all weekend long. Watch the clip to hear is newscaster impression, how he prepares for his stand-ups, and why NYC is his favorite place to perform.

Along with comedy and acting, Tommy is a versatile musician. Watch him belt it out, karaoke-style with Tamsen Fadal.

Written by Andrea Lontoc

From the beach to your family's favorite theme-park and even international flights across the pond, there are easy ways to pack the perfect bag. Travel Expert Anne McAlpin will challenge John and Suki to pack the perfect back in 30 seconds. She then gave them tips to packing the perfect bag.

Plus, we all know checked baggage fees are a concern for many traveling families these days so it's best you look for any deals available to you. She'll talk about how American Express is offering their Delta SkyMiles Cardmembers a free checked bag on every Delta flight - up to a $50 savings per person round-trip, which can amount to a savings of up to $200 per family. For more info, log onto http://delta.com/firstbagfree .

Strawberry, Cherry, Peanut Butter…there are plenty of great cheesecake flavors. However, Junior’s Cheesecake is looking for one more and they would like your help.

Home of world famous cheesecakes, Junior’s Restaurant, is celebrating its 60th years in the biz with this exciting contest. The Next Great Junior’s Cheesecake Flavor Recipe Contest gives cheesecake enthusiasts the opportunity to put their creativity to work and mix up a great-tasting treat. News of the search comes out just in time for National Cheesecake Day (July 30th). For today only, Junior’s will offer customers slices of its New York-style cheesecake for only 60 cents in honor of the restaurant’s upcoming 60th anniversary (November 2nd).

The winner will receive a $1,800 prize and will have his or her cheesecake featured at Junior’s Restaurant for a limited time. A panel of distinguished judges will be invited to a bake-off at its Brooklyn restaurant on Election Day, the actual 60th anniversary date. Portions of the proceeds from the winning cheesecake sales will also be donated to a selected charity.

Contest submissions may be made online at www.juniorscheesecake.com, via mail, and at any one of the four Junior's locations in Brooklyn, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal – all in New York City – and MGM Foxwoods in Connecticut.

You know her from film and television favorites such as charmed and whose the boss. Now, Alyssa Milano joins our morning show to talk about how she is paving the way for female sports fashion with her clothing line, Touch.

Milano began Touch to help out fellow female fans sport their favorite team's merchandise with a feminine twist. The line features jackets, hoodies, T's and even jeans, in an array of team colors and logos from MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA.

In 2009, touch opened its first boutique in the brand new CitiField and today, Milano will display items from her collection. Alyssa will appear at the Touch Boutique at Citi Field on Saturday, July 31st from 5:45 – 6:45pm. There’s a special gift with purchase offer: purchase any Touch by Alyssa Milano product and get a chance to meet Alyssa and receive an autographed gift.

Jill Nicolini and Linda Church, who were live in West Islip, modeled a couple of looks from Alyssa’s fashion line. Also in featured in our fashion show were a few of our summer interns.