HAPPY BIRTHDAY - today! - to Sir Charles Barkley. The controversial but well-loved former Sixers power forward, a/k/a the no-longer-so-round Round Mound of Rebound traveled quite a ways in his nearly 50 years, from Alabama to Philly, the court to the commentator's booth, Taco Bell to Weight Watchers. He's by far our favorite advice-giver in the DN's SportsWeek. But this week, the stars have some advice for him: Keep on keeping up your ends of deals, and you'll gain a whole new level of respect.
Also this week: Wednesday, fellow onetime teammate and NBA Hall of Famer Julius Erving doctors 62, and Midtown Village uber-chef Marcie Turney whips up 42. Thursday, the DN's Reuben "Big Rube" Harley snaps a stylish 38. Saturday, Easton native and former talk-show diva Sally Jessy Raphael sallies forth to 77.
