Celebrate Bill Cosby and E.B. White, observe World Population Day, celebrate National Pecan Pie Day and get ready for Harry Potter.

Happy birthday!

Two American legends have birthdays this weekend – Bill Cosby and E.B. White. We’re planning to celebrate Cosby by watching “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” and “The Cosby Show.” And in honor of E.B. White, we’re going to break out our copies of “Charlotte's Web” and “Stuart Little” to read to the young ones (or you could watch the movies, although the books are better). And, of course, we would certainly be in favor of everyone reading at least a little bit of “The Elements of Style,” perhaps the greatest guide to the English language ever.

Sip a free Slurpee

Saturday (7/11) is Slurpee Day at 7-Eleven stores, and they’ll be handing out free Slurpees from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. or until supplies last. So find a 7-Eleven near you and grab one of the slushy treats in flavors like cola, pina colada, blue raspberry, root beer and green apple. Or mix all of them together, like we usually do! Enjoy your Slurpee, but take your time sipping to avoid the dreaded brain freeze.

Learn about the world

Saturday is World Population Day, a United Nations-sponsored day that highlights population issues across the globe. This year’s focus is on women and poverty. The official Web site has information about the day and activities suggestions. Check it out at www.unfpa.org/wpd/2009/en.

As American as pecan pie

Sunday is National Pecan Pie Day, so break out your favorite recipe this weekend and whip up a couple tasty pies (don’t forget to make some for your co-workers!). Here’s a recipe for Jack Daniels Bourbon Pecan Pie we like, courtesy of Cooks.com:

- 2 large eggs (slightly beaten)
- 1/4 cup dark Karo syrup
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons corn starch
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup Jack Daniels bourbon
- 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate
- 1 bag pecan halves

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix eggs and Karo. Combine sugar and corn starch, add to egg mixture. Melt chocolate and butter, cool. Add bourbon and combine with egg mixture. Beat together in mixer on slow speed. Pour into a 9-inch unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle evenly with pecan halves. Bake on cookie sheet for one hour. Pie should be firm and will "set-up" while cooling.

Harry Potter is back!

The sixth Harry Potter movie comes out on Wednesday, July 15, and Potter-mania is gripping kids of all ages again. Many bookstores and libraries are scheduling Potter parties in advance of the movie, or why not host your own? You can show the previous movies or read the books. Check out the trailer for “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and learn more at the official Web site, harrypotter.warnerbros.com.

GateHouse News Service