Very little, it seems, is written in the news about my all-time favorite humanitarian and television neighbor Mister Fred Rogers, so when I saw a story by the Associated Press about him today, I couldn't have been more delighted.

The beloved creator of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood would have turned 80 years old on March 20 had his life not been tragically cut short by cancer five years ago.

To commemorate his life, friends, colleagues and family members of Rogers are planning a celebration of his life March 15-20 in the city of Pittsburgh, Penn., where Rogers taped his children's show.

Organizers have dubbed the event "Won't You Be My Neighbor Days" and fans of the show are invited to take part in family-oriented activities within the city of Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania, according to the Mister Rogers' favorite deliveryman Mr. McFeely.

I've included the link to a video that gives more information about the event: http://youtube.com/watch?v=eVeyLr2fGNA

One of the highlights, and one that I most assuredly will be participating in, is "Sweater Day." Anyone who loves Mister Rogers and all he stood for is encouraged to wear their favorite sweater on March 20 to commemorate what would have been Mister Rogers' 80th birthday.

I am already thinking about which sweater I will wear that day. I hope to see you in your favorite sweater too! Anyone who wants to take a picture or video of themselves wearing their sweater is invited to send it to the people at Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Photos and videos can be emailed to: neighbordays@fci.org

Before I close this blog entry, I want to take this opportunity to say a couple things about Mister Rogers.

I can think of no one else on television, past or present, who has affected my life in a positive way more than Mister Rogers. I'm proud to say that I still watch reruns of his show on PBS today and his words are more meaningful to me as an adult than as a wee child eating my split pea soup in front of the TV at my parents' house.

When you listen to Mister Rogers speak on TV, it is as if he is talking directly to you. Each day, he had something important to say. He taught you to be who you are, to respect who other people are, to pay attention to the world around you and to never stop learning.

He always ended his show the same way and to this day, I have never forgotten what he said as he took off his sweater and put on his suit jacket and headed for the door of his make-believe house.

"You always make this day a very special day," he would say. "And you know how: by just your being you. There's only one person in the whole world like you and I like you just the way you are."

There's nothing else I can say to that.