Happy Friday, everybody...

Our friend Gary Smith, who sat at the NPR front desk used to greet us every morning, saying that simple phrase. And just hearing him say it would make you feel good, and if you already felt good it would make you feel better. As you may remember he died last year and certain things just make us think of him — the Pittsburgh Steelers (he was a crazy football fan), spring (he loved spring). He loved ... everything.

You can't replace a guy like that, but we can try to remember him. Miss you, Gary!

So Many Stories, So Little Time

Monday is the 10th anniversary of the Columbine shooting; we're still sorting ourselves out.

Are anniversaries inherently newsworthy?

I really am not sure about that. But I do think, as humans, our minds gravitate to anniversaries. I know I find myself experiencing certain feelings around dates that are significant in my family — births, deaths, and other significant events in the life of our family, such as when we got engaged, for example.

On Monday, we know we are going to tell you about a new film starring Alfre Woodard and Nicole Beharie. American Violet takes on an issue we talk a lot about in this program — the criminal justice system and the way it affects people of color and poor people.

We're also going to try to follow up on some issues that surfaced in interviews this week that we feel could use more attention and reporting, like the extent of homelessness or the increase in homelessness nationwide due to the recession.

House (Of Worship) Hunting

And I am curious to know, if you attend a house of worship on a regular (or semi-regular) basis, how did you go about choosing where you now attend?

Was it an easy decision, or a hard one? Let us know ...

And have a good weekend.