Who: Alison Sweeney (Sami)
What: Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade
When: Saturday, May 24th beginning at 12:00 p.m. EST. The parade will be televised nationally on ESPN2 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. EST that same day.
Where: Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana

Alison will be one of the many celebrities participating in the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade line-up this year. The parade has grown to be one of the signature events in the United States every year and consistently ranks among the top three parades in the nation along with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Ticket prices are as follows:
Reserved bleacher seats are $13.50
Reserved chair seats are $17.00
Reserved VIP/TV Zone seats are $30.00

There are three ways to order and purchase tickets:
1) You can order online through Ticketmaster,
2) You can call the 500 Festival Ticket Hotline at (317) 614-6400,
3) Or you can visit one of the 15 AAA Hoosier Motor Club locations in and around Indianapolis.

For more information on the parade or to find out what other celebrities will be participating, visit the 500 Festival Website. Fortunately for me, I happen to live close to the Indianapolis area and will definitely be in attendance for this exciting event.

Pictured: Alison Sweeney (Sami)

Mitchell Haaseth / Copyright 2007 NBC Universal

Who: Arianne Zucker (Nicole), Kyle Lowder (ex-Brady), Joseph Mascolo (Stefano), and Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy)

What: The Agua HeHedionda Lagoon Foundation will hold its first Celebrity Fishing Tournament, with proceeds benefitting the United Anglers of Southern California and Hubbs Sea World Research Institute.

When: Saturday, May 17th from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m.
A lunch at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Nature Center and an awards ceremony will take place from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Where: Agua Hedionda Lagoon
1580 Cannon Road
Carlsbad, CA.

Those who want to fish with a celebrity, the cost is $100. Otherwise, tickets are $35 in advance or $45 on the day of the event.

For more information read this North County Times article. You may also call (760) 632-7770 or e-mail david@dmirisch.com for details.

Who: Matthew Ashford (ex-Jack Devereaux)
What:Matt will be signing autographs at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles Blood Drive
When: Saturday, May 17th from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Where: Children's Hospital Los Angeles
4560 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90027

For more information about this worthy cause, visit the National Marrow Donor Program Website. If you'd like to make an appointment to donate, please call George Merida at (323) 361-2441 or at (323) 361-2370 for times. Matt will be appearing at this event along with other celebrities in order to raise awareness about the National Marrow Donor Program. If you live near the Los Angeles area or will be in the area on Saturday, this is a great opportunity to meet the beloved actor.

Pictured: Matthew Ashford (ex-Jack Devereaux)

Frederick M. Brown / 2006 Getty Images

It's a difficult week for Kayla, as she goes into premature labor and gives birth to a baby boy by week's end. Will the newest member of the Johnson family survive? More spoilers for next week include:

• Martino is arrested
• Sami hears from Lucas
• Chloe returns from Switzerland
• Max apologizes to Stephanie

Following Week:

• Lucas comes home
• Abe and Lexie meet with their therapist

Pictured: Mary Beth Evans as Dr. Kayla Brady Johnson

Mitchell Haaseth / Copyright 2006 NBC Universal

Daniel and Chelsea met only two months ago, but already they’ve developed deep feelings for one another. It’s no secret that Daniel is significantly older than Chelsea, but they aren’t the first couple in daytime history who’ve paired up despite the age difference. As they say, age doesn’t matter. I’m one of those fans who are still shaking my head as to why the show let Julie Pinson (ex-Billie) go just before bringing on the hot new doctor. I would’ve been more intrigued to see mother and daughter possibly vying for the same man. This is a hotly debated topic in the Days of Our Lives Fan Forum. Please take a moment to vote as to how you feel about this controversial new couple.

Pictured: Shawn Christian and Rachel Melvin (Daniel and Chelsea)

Mitchell Haaseth / NBC Universal

Daytime veteran and Emmy-nominated actor Roscoe Born is joining the DAYS cast as Dean Robbins beginning Tuesday, May 29th, as reported by Soap Opera Digest Online. Word is that Dean will have a connection to a current Salem resident. (Read more).

Pictured: Roscoe Born

Copyright 2001 NBC Universal

What were the names of those beautiful songs played during the Max and Stephanie romantic scenes in April? This question has been asked throughout the Internet and I finally have the answers, thanks to one of our wonderful readers and forum members named Mel.

"Right Here" by Jd Webb was the name of the song played on the April 23, 2008 episode when Max and Stephanie shared a dance at the Brady Pub after professing their love for one another. The same song was played at the beginning of the April 25, 2008 episode when Max and Stephanie continued their dance. During that same episode, Max and Stephanie went up to his bedroom above the pub and got amorous. The name of the song that played in the background was "If Only" by Jd Webb.

"I'll Never Let Go" was the name of the song by Jd Webb that played at the end of the April 30, 2008 episode when Abe and Lexie kissed outside the Brady Pub and when Max and Stephanie began to make love again in his bedroom.

Jd Webb is a songwriter for DAYS and wrote the above songs for the show. Additionally, he is an award winning singer, songwriter, and producer who captivates audiences with his soulful voice and unique style. The three above mentioned songs are available on his album entitled Days of Our Lives, which was released in November of 2007. Due to an overwhelming response, the songs are available for purchase on Jd Webb's Music Website. To learn more about Jd Webb, visit his Official Myspace Page.

A big shout-out goes out to one of our wonderful readers and forum members, Mel, for the information about this! Thanks Mel!

Pictured: Darin Brooks and Shelley Hennig (Max and Stephanie)

Mitchell Haaseth / Copyright 2008 NBC Universal

Brandon Beemer (ex-Shawn) has officially joined CBS's The Bold and the Beautiful, as reported by Soap Opera Digest Online and Brandon's Message Board. He will be joining the show as a new character near the end of the month. However, there's no word as of yet on what his character's name will be or when his first airdate is. He will join another former DAYS alumni Kyle Lowder (ex-Brady Black).

As fans recall, Brandon, along with former co-star Martha Madison (ex-Belle), were shockingly let go in January, which outraged and disappointed many fans. Their last airdate was March 24, 2008, when Shawn and Belle decided to sail around the world with daughter Claire. Soon after Brandon's dismissal, he was in talks with joining One Life to Live as a possible Joey Buchanan recast.

Brandon of course isn't the first former DAYS star to be snatched up by another soap this year. The gorgeous and talented Julie Pinson (ex-Billie) was also let go in January of this year. Julie was soon snatched up by As the World Turns and will first air in May. Recently Kevin Spirtas (ex-Dr. Craig Wesley) was snatched up by One Life to Live. Another former Shawn Brady, Jason Cook, recently landed a new role on General Hospital as new doctor who will being airing in June. It wouldn't surprise me at all if another show snatches up the Emmy-worthy Martha Madison next.

Heartfelt congratulations go out to Brandon on his new role. What is DAYS's loss is fortunately another soap's gain. Good luck Brandon!

Pictured: Brandon Beemer (ex-Shawn Brady)

Paul Drinkwater / Copyright 2008 NBC Universal