Some heart-warming news amidst what feels like weeks and weeks of bad news — Jon and Kate Gosselin spent the Fourth of July together with their eight kids. It’s not a reconciliation, by any means, but it’s nice to see two parents put aside their difficulties and act like adults so that they can both spend the holiday with their children.

At their home in Wernersville, Pa., the family played volleyball and picked blueberries for a cake that Kate was baking, while Jon was seen lighting up a sparkler. The couple decided weeks ago to spend the holiday as a family.

“Jon pointed to the July 4 holiday and said, ‘What are we going to do about that?’” Kate said in a recent interview. “I absolutely cannot imagine not spending every single holiday with my kids. I don’t care what it takes. I will be there.”

Holy moly. A whopping 1.6 million people from around the world put their names in the lottery to win tickets for the Michael Jackson memorial service at the Staples Center on Tuesday. There was a random drawing of 8,750 names, and the winners are being notified today.

The tickets will admit 11,000 people to the Staples Center plus 6,500 in the Nokia Theater overflow section next door. The streets around the stadium will be closed to prevent those without tickets from trying to attend, police said Sunday.

If you’re not one of the lucky (?) people to win tickets for what is sure to be the histrionic shit-show of the century, don’t fret. Every television station ever is going to be covering it. Frankly, to me, this sounds kind of like any major event — I’d just rather be watching it from the comfort of my living room. If there’s anything I hate more than crowds, it’s screaming crowds.

As has become tradition around here, I leave you to celebrate our country’s freedom with the OTHER national anthem.

Have a happy holiday, and be safe out there, kids!

On Saturday, we will celebrate the birthday of the United States, and the freedoms we enjoy in this country — for some, it will be a sober occasion, with family and loved ones stationed overseas and at risk.

We can, however, expect absolutely zero sobriety today, as Lindsay Lohan celebrates her 23rd birthday. Remember when they let her out of rehab briefly to celebrate her 21st? And she had to drink water and Red Bull and stuff? NEVER AGAIN!

From all of us to you, Lindsay, happy birthday. Try not to die.

On another note, we’re taking some time off around here to celebrate the national holiday that is Lindsay’s birthday. And the Fourth of July, I suppose. I’ll be around here and there to cover breaking news, but Wendie and Kelly are taking a well-deserved break until Monday. Have a happy and safe holiday!

Arnold Klein, the pimp dermatologist who allegedly fathered Michael Jackson’s children, speaks with media outside his home in Los Angeles. This looks nothing like the previous photo we saw of Klein. He’s really let himself go in recent years, I guess. Either that, or he’s carrying three more of Michael’s children in his uterus. (Seriously, though, the shirt is stained in like three places. So gross. I would never let this guy touch my skin.)

Please, caption this and I expect more imagination than “Running For Office.”  

Sarah Palin, as she appears on the Runner’s World website.  Did anyone ever know she was this hot?