Good morning. Today is the 163rd day of the year. On this day in 1987, President Ronald Reagan, standing at the Berlin Wall in Germany, gave one of the most powerful speeches of his career when he challenged Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the wall if he was serious about peace. The State Department had sought to make the speech more conciliatory, but Reagan refused. The wall was finally opened in 1989.

Well-known people who were born today include sportscaster Marv Albert, former president George H.W. Bush, singer Vic Damone, actor Jim Nabors (“The Andy Griffith Show,� “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.�) and banker David Rockefeller.

BOTANIC GARDEN To Host Bio Blitz.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden tomorrow will host a “Bio Blitz� from noon to 5 p.m. in which a team of research scientists and botanists will explore its 52 acres.

The team will guide urban explorers of all ages in a scientific inventory of the flora, fauna and fungi found in the garden.

While the garden is known to have more than 12,000 kinds of plants, it is also home to many other living organisms, including birds, bees and many forms of microbial life.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Bio Blitz science team is led by Dr. Gerry Moore, director of the garden’s Department of Science. He also coordinates the New York Metropolitan Flora project, which seeks to document all the plants in the New York area.

SYLVIA’S SOUL TOUR Arrives at Atlantic Center Pathmark.

Sylvia’s Restaurant is taking its Soul Tour to the Atlantic Center Pathmark, 625 Atlantic Ave, on Friday to support the American Cancer Society.

For just $3, customers can get a delicious dinner featuring Sylvia’s Smothered Fried Chicken, Sylvia’s Sassy Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry, Sylvia’s Famous Cornbread, Sylvia’s Collard Greens and more. The event will take place between 3 and 7 p.m.

All proceeds will go the American Cancer Society. Additionally, items will be raffled off for customers during each hour of the event.

EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE To Hold Information Session.

Empire State College, of the State University of New York, will hold a public information session about its undergraduate degree program this Monday at the college’s Brooklyn location at 177 Livingston St. Empire State College is dedicated to helping motivate adults, regardless of geography or life circumstance, to manage and master a rigorous academic program and earn a degree.

College representatives will be available at the information session to answer questions about the college’s flexible associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

For further information, please call (718) 783-4400. The session will begin at 6 p.m.

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