Ever since the second Harry Potter book came out, we've been dressing up like witches and wizards and heading to our favorite bookstore, whether it's in Kennebunkport, Maine at the Kennebunk Book Port or in San Francisco, California, when a new J.K. Rowling book is released.

This year, these mere Muggles will be in San Francisco. Our biggest Harry Potter fan of the family, who is ten, has just finished reading Rowling's first, second and third HP books for the fifteenth time. She has read the rest of the series at least ten times.

Needless to say, we are ready for the sixth book to arrive on July 16th, and then some.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince makes its debut at midnight on July 15th around the world.

Actually, Rowling's latest masterpiece is available for devouring at 12:01 am, Saturday, July 16th, and not a moment before.

Books can and should be ordered ahead of time -- no matter where you decide to pick them up.

Even San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom has gotten in on the fun. Newsom has declared July 15th "All Potter's Eve in San Francisco."

Mayor Newsom's Proclamation states:

Whereas, San Francisco's own Books Inc., the West's Oldest Independent Bookseller, is hosting midnight release parties for the 6th book of the beloved JK Rowling series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, on the eve of the release date of July 16; and

Whereas, the Harry Potter series has created a whole new interest in youth literacy, in both San Francisco, and throughout the world; and

Whereas, Books Inc. is donating half their profit from sales during their "All Potter's Eve" Midnight Release Parties to local school libraries, in addition to the already impressive annual contribution of their Michael P. Grant Literacy Fund benefiting San Francisco School Volunteers; and

Whereas, many citizens of the City and County of San Francisco, including adults, are unusually excited about the new release, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince; now

Therefore Be It Resolved, that I, Gavin Newsom, Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco do hereby proclaim July 15, 2005 as ...

ALL POTTERS EVE

IN SAN FRANCISCO!

Here is a list of bookstores in the city and throughout the Bay Area that will be open before midnight on July 15th.

A number of stores are hosting a costume party for all of us dedicated J.K. Rowling, Harry, Ron & Hermione fans.

Why are stars, from Hollywood to Silicon Valley, coming together to support Positive Coaching Alliance?

Since 1998, Positive Coaching Alliance, founded by Jim Thompson, has conducted more than 1,700 workshops for 68,000 coaches, parents and leaders that have helped create a positive sports environment for more than 680,000 young athletes.

PCA is recognized as a leader in youth sports training and has received funding from Nike Corporation the Amateur Athletic Foundation and The Fannie Mae Foundation to conduct workshops in underserved communities.

Their partnership networks include more than 300 youth sports organizations (YSO's), cities and schools.

On Sunday, July 11th, LivePlanet of Project Greenlight fame (a production company founded by Chris Moore, Sean Bailey, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) sponsored the 1st Annual Hollywood Shootout at UCLA's famed Pauley Pavilion. Modeled after the successful Silicon Valley Shootout in Northern California, twenty teams came together to play basketball in a 3-on-3 tournament to benefit Positive Coaching Alliance.

PCA's next Silicon Valley Shootout is Sunday, September 12th. This event will be held at Stanford University.

To sponsor a team or for more information, call Katie Behroozi at 650-354-0904 or katie@positivecoach.org.

By becoming a PCA member today, you are continuing to help Positive Coaching Alliance make a positive impact on kids, helping them reap the benefits of youth sports participation. Click here Positive Coaching Alliance to join now!

Positive Coaching Alliance has the support of elite coaches and athletes on its National Advisory Board including Larry Brown, Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons, former senator Bill Bradley, Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming Summer Sanders and NFL Hall of Famer, Ronnie Lott. Former Los Angeles Lakers Coach Phil Jackson is PCA's Spokesperson.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful living.

Here's also to supporting PCA's efforts to transform youth sports so sports can transform youth.

~ Jennifer King