When Debbie Bailey used to the be general manager of Peachtree Mall, she'd see me on Dec. 24 and just laugh.
She knew my routine.
I'd wait until the very last minute and then run through the mall, pushing and shoving people out of the way to buy stuff.
This year is different.
My siblings and I are all older and we decided that instead of buying stuff for each other, we'd do something different.
Actually, it was my sister Dorothy's idea.
We each buy two gift cards. We through them in a bag and then we draw them.
Isn't that great?
We decided on the value of each card, and that's what we'll do.
Of course, we have a great-niece and great-nephew who are still small, so we'll buy them gifts. And I'll buy something for Jessica, who's 20 now. She's my brother's daughter.
We'll probably stress out over what we'll be cooking instead.
Since Jess is a vegan, we have to be careful to cook some veggies separately for her. You know, no butter or bacon. I can't imagine a world without butter or bacon.
I'll be on vacation next week, so I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and an even better 2008.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
I have a new computer!
I have a new computer and I've got to get used to it. I mean after all the years I worked on the other computer, and finally learned how to use it, I get another one. I'm too old to learn how to figure out all this stuff!
Clason Kyle and I went to the Opelika Center for Performing Arts Tuesday night to see "Gypsy." Neither of us saw it at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on Sunday.
It was an incredible show. All of the actors are wonderful. The woman who played Mama Rose was fabulous.
Clason was saying it was time for the Springer Opera House to do the show again and I agree. We both thought Patricia Kennedy, who is the Springer's managing director, would be a great Mama Rose. And that was as far as we got in casting the show.
I really can't think of another touring show that was so good that played here.
If you missed it, you really missed a good one.
Clason Kyle and I went to the Opelika Center for Performing Arts Tuesday night to see "Gypsy." Neither of us saw it at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on Sunday.
It was an incredible show. All of the actors are wonderful. The woman who played Mama Rose was fabulous.
Clason was saying it was time for the Springer Opera House to do the show again and I agree. We both thought Patricia Kennedy, who is the Springer's managing director, would be a great Mama Rose. And that was as far as we got in casting the show.
I really can't think of another touring show that was so good that played here.
If you missed it, you really missed a good one.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Evening in Paris
I know that I'm getting old when I start a sentence with: "Those of us of a certain age ..."
Well, those of us of a certain age will remember Tangee lipstick and Evening in Paris parfum.
When I was a little girl, my brother and sisters and I saved our money and bought our father Old Spice cologne and our mother a little bottle of Evening in Paris.
It was in Sierra Vista, Ariz., which was the small outside the main gates of Fort Huachuca, where my father was stationed. The old 5-and-dime, which may have been a Woolworth's -- I can't remember -- was part of what we'd call a strip mall now. It was the one and only shopping center in Sierra Vista.
That was many, many years ago.
I'd been sick Friday and I really wasn't in the mood to leave the house Saturday. But my mother wanted to go to K-mart, so I got in the shower and got dressed. We went to K-mart, where she couldn't find anything she was looking for. We went to TJ Maxx and as always, I went straight to the perfume display.
So imagine my surprise when I found a bottle of Evening in Paris!
My mother was even more surprised. We had not seen a bottle of the stuff in so long.
I can't remember how much that tiny little bottle cost in Sierra Vista, but it couldn't be more than a couple of dollars.
This bottle we found was $19.99. The regular price was $40! Can you believe that?
We had to buy it and it was the first thing we opened when we got home. We both sprayed ourselves and it smelled just the way we remembered.
It brought back so many memories.
And during the holidays, isn't that the best thing?
Well, those of us of a certain age will remember Tangee lipstick and Evening in Paris parfum.
When I was a little girl, my brother and sisters and I saved our money and bought our father Old Spice cologne and our mother a little bottle of Evening in Paris.
It was in Sierra Vista, Ariz., which was the small outside the main gates of Fort Huachuca, where my father was stationed. The old 5-and-dime, which may have been a Woolworth's -- I can't remember -- was part of what we'd call a strip mall now. It was the one and only shopping center in Sierra Vista.
That was many, many years ago.
I'd been sick Friday and I really wasn't in the mood to leave the house Saturday. But my mother wanted to go to K-mart, so I got in the shower and got dressed. We went to K-mart, where she couldn't find anything she was looking for. We went to TJ Maxx and as always, I went straight to the perfume display.
So imagine my surprise when I found a bottle of Evening in Paris!
My mother was even more surprised. We had not seen a bottle of the stuff in so long.
I can't remember how much that tiny little bottle cost in Sierra Vista, but it couldn't be more than a couple of dollars.
This bottle we found was $19.99. The regular price was $40! Can you believe that?
We had to buy it and it was the first thing we opened when we got home. We both sprayed ourselves and it smelled just the way we remembered.
It brought back so many memories.
And during the holidays, isn't that the best thing?
Monday, December 3, 2007
"A Tuna Christmas"
If you have never seen "A Tuna Christmas" at the Springer Opera House, you ought to try to see it this year.
It's hysterical.
Last year, Paul Pierce and Ron Anderson, the two actors who play all 20 roles (male and female), told me that the real story is backstage.
Paul's dresser is 16-year-old Kaity Baker, a sophomore at Harris County High School, while Ron's dresser is Betsy Flournoy, 16, a junior at Brookstone School. Both are long-time students in the Springer Opera House's Theater Academy. A third student, Gabby Buffong, a 17-year-old Columbus High School senior, helps out when she's needed. Gabby is backstage doing all the sound effects.
Both Ron and Paul put on basic stage makeup for men. No elaborate eye makeup or lip color. Just foundation and powder. Then they put on panty-house, bike shorts and a wife-beater undershirt.
They begin the show as the two radio personalities, Thurston and Arles. And then the fun begins.
To see the photos, check out this week's To Do section on Thursday.
Ron and Paul think "A Tuna Christmas" is the perfect show for the holidays.
"There are only a few 'Tuna' virgins left in town," Ron said.
And they're afraid to come see the show because they want to be the last ones in town to see it, joked Paul.
Seriously, though Ron says a lot of people need to laugh during the holidays and "A Tuna Christmas" is the perfect show to do just that.
A lot of people come to see the show several times during its annual run, and each time, they bring others with them.
Scooter MacMillan, the Springer's marketing director, says "A Tuna Christmas" is a great tool for audience development because a lot of people still think going to the theater is for snobs.
"This is a great show for people who think they don't like theater," Paul said.
It's the sixth time since 2001 that the Springer has presented this show. The theater skipped the 2003-04 season.
Ed Howard, the writer and director of "A Tuna Christmas," is back again. He's been busy working on "Tuna Does Vegas."
Ron and Paul have seen that show and are excited about it. In fact, they're already planning on which of the characters they want to do.
Before people in the Valley get to see "Tuna Does Vegas," we'll get to see "Red, White and Tuna." But then again, since Jaston Williams and Joe Sears have yet to relinquish the rights to that show, it may be a long time before we get to see the Tuna folks in Las Vegas.
In the meantime, the Springer Opera House has just received the rights to tour "Greater Tuna" and "A Tuna Christmas." It's the only theater in the United States to get the rights.
That's probably because Ed Howard loves us so much!
So the Springer Opera House name, along with the Tuna folks will be traveling across the country in 2008.
Unfortunately, Ron and Paul won't be able to do the tour. As much as they'd like to, they still have to look after the Springer.
They'll be auditioning folks soon for the tour.
As soon as I found out, I'll let you know.
"A Tuna Christmas" opens Thursday. Check To Do for details.
It's hysterical.
Last year, Paul Pierce and Ron Anderson, the two actors who play all 20 roles (male and female), told me that the real story is backstage.
Paul's dresser is 16-year-old Kaity Baker, a sophomore at Harris County High School, while Ron's dresser is Betsy Flournoy, 16, a junior at Brookstone School. Both are long-time students in the Springer Opera House's Theater Academy. A third student, Gabby Buffong, a 17-year-old Columbus High School senior, helps out when she's needed. Gabby is backstage doing all the sound effects.
Both Ron and Paul put on basic stage makeup for men. No elaborate eye makeup or lip color. Just foundation and powder. Then they put on panty-house, bike shorts and a wife-beater undershirt.
They begin the show as the two radio personalities, Thurston and Arles. And then the fun begins.
To see the photos, check out this week's To Do section on Thursday.
Ron and Paul think "A Tuna Christmas" is the perfect show for the holidays.
"There are only a few 'Tuna' virgins left in town," Ron said.
And they're afraid to come see the show because they want to be the last ones in town to see it, joked Paul.
Seriously, though Ron says a lot of people need to laugh during the holidays and "A Tuna Christmas" is the perfect show to do just that.
A lot of people come to see the show several times during its annual run, and each time, they bring others with them.
Scooter MacMillan, the Springer's marketing director, says "A Tuna Christmas" is a great tool for audience development because a lot of people still think going to the theater is for snobs.
"This is a great show for people who think they don't like theater," Paul said.
It's the sixth time since 2001 that the Springer has presented this show. The theater skipped the 2003-04 season.
Ed Howard, the writer and director of "A Tuna Christmas," is back again. He's been busy working on "Tuna Does Vegas."
Ron and Paul have seen that show and are excited about it. In fact, they're already planning on which of the characters they want to do.
Before people in the Valley get to see "Tuna Does Vegas," we'll get to see "Red, White and Tuna." But then again, since Jaston Williams and Joe Sears have yet to relinquish the rights to that show, it may be a long time before we get to see the Tuna folks in Las Vegas.
In the meantime, the Springer Opera House has just received the rights to tour "Greater Tuna" and "A Tuna Christmas." It's the only theater in the United States to get the rights.
That's probably because Ed Howard loves us so much!
So the Springer Opera House name, along with the Tuna folks will be traveling across the country in 2008.
Unfortunately, Ron and Paul won't be able to do the tour. As much as they'd like to, they still have to look after the Springer.
They'll be auditioning folks soon for the tour.
As soon as I found out, I'll let you know.
"A Tuna Christmas" opens Thursday. Check To Do for details.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
A very eventful weekend
I know it's Wednesday, but I took last week off and it takes a few days to go through all of the e-mails and answer them, and get back into the swing of things at work.
Thanksgiving was great. We had 35 people at my brother Fred's house. Jessica, his daughter, counted.
We ate and ate and then sat around and talked. Then we ate some more. It was the usual Okamoto holiday dinner. We love to eat.
Last week, I wrote about the things I was thankful for. And I forgot to thank the doctors who took care of my mother when she had her quadruple bypass in July. Her primary care physician, Dr. Shabbir Motiwala; cardiologist Dr. Samir Mewar and cardio-vascular surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Travis, all worked together and she came through with flying colors.
Now, she's doing cardiac rehab at St. Francis and those physical therapists are working with her. I'm not so sure she's as diligent as she should be. She absolutely hates going to exercise three times a week. But I know it's good for her and we want to keep her around a little bit longer.
So I'm very thankful for those good people.
Getting back to my original thought of an eventful weekend, we did go shopping (the second best thing the Okamoto family does best). And on Friday, we went back to Fred's house for dinner. My mother refused, saying she didn't want to eat left-overs.
We had more than just left-overs.
On the way back, a deer came out of nowhere and ran into my sister's car. This is Dorothy, who lives in Charleston, S.C. Again, I'm thankful my mother decided to stay home.
Dorothy and I were not hurt, but really shaken by the accident.
And you really need to be careful -- we were driving down Woodruff Farm Road toward Forrest Avenue. It was close to the apartment complex that's on the street and very close to the soccer fields.
It was a huge deer. My brother said it was the perspective, but he's wrong. It was a big one.
Dorothy pulled off in the soccer complex and the woman who was driving behind us followed us to make sure we were OK. She said her son screamed that a deer was running in the street just before it hit us.
She offered to stay until the police got there, but with those small kids in the car, I told her to go on home. She was very, very nice.
Dorothy got on her phone to call 911. I called my brother and our other sisters, Nancy and Patty.
Fred came from his house. Patty and her husband, John, who were also at dinner at Fred's and left the same time we did, came back to help us.
The car was not driveable and the officer called for a tow truck.
And since it was Friday, there was nothing Dorothy could do over the weekend. She had planned on leaving Sunday, but spent Monday on the phone with her insurance agent, an adjuster, the impound lot and North Columbus Collision Center.
Patty had to go out of town to work, so she suggested Dorothy take her car and go home.
She did yesterday, where I believe she's still on the phone with all those folks I mentioned earlier.
I'm really glad it happened in town and not out on some rural road on her way home. She did say she's very paranoid now!
On a more lighter note, I'm so glad Helio Castroneves won "Dancing with the Stars" last night. When they announced the stars a couple of months ago, I predicted he would win. I'm so glad I was right.
Thanksgiving was great. We had 35 people at my brother Fred's house. Jessica, his daughter, counted.
We ate and ate and then sat around and talked. Then we ate some more. It was the usual Okamoto holiday dinner. We love to eat.
Last week, I wrote about the things I was thankful for. And I forgot to thank the doctors who took care of my mother when she had her quadruple bypass in July. Her primary care physician, Dr. Shabbir Motiwala; cardiologist Dr. Samir Mewar and cardio-vascular surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Travis, all worked together and she came through with flying colors.
Now, she's doing cardiac rehab at St. Francis and those physical therapists are working with her. I'm not so sure she's as diligent as she should be. She absolutely hates going to exercise three times a week. But I know it's good for her and we want to keep her around a little bit longer.
So I'm very thankful for those good people.
Getting back to my original thought of an eventful weekend, we did go shopping (the second best thing the Okamoto family does best). And on Friday, we went back to Fred's house for dinner. My mother refused, saying she didn't want to eat left-overs.
We had more than just left-overs.
On the way back, a deer came out of nowhere and ran into my sister's car. This is Dorothy, who lives in Charleston, S.C. Again, I'm thankful my mother decided to stay home.
Dorothy and I were not hurt, but really shaken by the accident.
And you really need to be careful -- we were driving down Woodruff Farm Road toward Forrest Avenue. It was close to the apartment complex that's on the street and very close to the soccer fields.
It was a huge deer. My brother said it was the perspective, but he's wrong. It was a big one.
Dorothy pulled off in the soccer complex and the woman who was driving behind us followed us to make sure we were OK. She said her son screamed that a deer was running in the street just before it hit us.
She offered to stay until the police got there, but with those small kids in the car, I told her to go on home. She was very, very nice.
Dorothy got on her phone to call 911. I called my brother and our other sisters, Nancy and Patty.
Fred came from his house. Patty and her husband, John, who were also at dinner at Fred's and left the same time we did, came back to help us.
The car was not driveable and the officer called for a tow truck.
And since it was Friday, there was nothing Dorothy could do over the weekend. She had planned on leaving Sunday, but spent Monday on the phone with her insurance agent, an adjuster, the impound lot and North Columbus Collision Center.
Patty had to go out of town to work, so she suggested Dorothy take her car and go home.
She did yesterday, where I believe she's still on the phone with all those folks I mentioned earlier.
I'm really glad it happened in town and not out on some rural road on her way home. She did say she's very paranoid now!
On a more lighter note, I'm so glad Helio Castroneves won "Dancing with the Stars" last night. When they announced the stars a couple of months ago, I predicted he would win. I'm so glad I was right.
Monday, November 19, 2007
NightWalk 2007
I survived another Nightwalk!
My brother, Fred; his wife, Cheryl; my sister, Nancy; Cheryl's niece, Jami Wilder, and I went to Callaway Gardens' Fantasy in Lights last night.
I always say it's the best way to see Fantasy in Lights. I've been told that Bo Callaway hates it when I say that, but it's true.
Of course, it won't take two hours to drive through FIL unless it's really, really crowded. It took us two hours to walk it this year.
It usually doesn't take that long, but we had some slow people with us this year. As usual, Nancy power-walked her way through the route and was sitting at the Robin Lake Beach Pavilion with her hot chocolate for about 30 minutes before we got there.
Fred and I would start walking at a normal pace and then we'd stop and wait for Cheryl and Jami.
By the time we finished the initial five miles, my back was hurting (I have a ruptured disc in my lower back) and Fred was limping. He hurt his toe when he was trying to cut down a tree in his yard. And last year, he had surgery on his ankle.
So for the first time in a long time, I didn't walk the entire seven mile route.
Jami said next year, she's going to walk the whole loop.
The temperature was fine, but there was this drizzle that never got us soaked. We were a little damp, but it wasn't bad at all.
The hot chocolate was really hot and really good. I didn't have any cookies this year, but Jami said they were good.
March of Dimes executive director Linda Szabo seemed really pleased with the crowd. I'm sure she'll let me know how much they made from the ticket sales. The proceeds are shared by the March of Dimes and the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation.
So if you missed NightWalk this year, go through the Gardens in your car or the Jolly Trolley. It's loads of fun either way. And you can mark your calendar to remind yourself to sign up for NightWalk next year.
By the way, at the Beach Pavilion, there are plenty of carnival food booths. There are funnel cakes, smoked turkey legs and roasted corn. That's beside the usual food available at the Pavilion and the Fantasy Cafe inside the big Beach Dome.
And you've got to go to the Christmas Village. It's chock-full of goodies for your home. If you can't find a gift for that person who's hard to buy for, then head to Callaway Gardens.
OK, Rachel Crumbley, are you happy with this blog?
My brother, Fred; his wife, Cheryl; my sister, Nancy; Cheryl's niece, Jami Wilder, and I went to Callaway Gardens' Fantasy in Lights last night.
I always say it's the best way to see Fantasy in Lights. I've been told that Bo Callaway hates it when I say that, but it's true.
Of course, it won't take two hours to drive through FIL unless it's really, really crowded. It took us two hours to walk it this year.
It usually doesn't take that long, but we had some slow people with us this year. As usual, Nancy power-walked her way through the route and was sitting at the Robin Lake Beach Pavilion with her hot chocolate for about 30 minutes before we got there.
Fred and I would start walking at a normal pace and then we'd stop and wait for Cheryl and Jami.
By the time we finished the initial five miles, my back was hurting (I have a ruptured disc in my lower back) and Fred was limping. He hurt his toe when he was trying to cut down a tree in his yard. And last year, he had surgery on his ankle.
So for the first time in a long time, I didn't walk the entire seven mile route.
Jami said next year, she's going to walk the whole loop.
The temperature was fine, but there was this drizzle that never got us soaked. We were a little damp, but it wasn't bad at all.
The hot chocolate was really hot and really good. I didn't have any cookies this year, but Jami said they were good.
March of Dimes executive director Linda Szabo seemed really pleased with the crowd. I'm sure she'll let me know how much they made from the ticket sales. The proceeds are shared by the March of Dimes and the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation.
So if you missed NightWalk this year, go through the Gardens in your car or the Jolly Trolley. It's loads of fun either way. And you can mark your calendar to remind yourself to sign up for NightWalk next year.
By the way, at the Beach Pavilion, there are plenty of carnival food booths. There are funnel cakes, smoked turkey legs and roasted corn. That's beside the usual food available at the Pavilion and the Fantasy Cafe inside the big Beach Dome.
And you've got to go to the Christmas Village. It's chock-full of goodies for your home. If you can't find a gift for that person who's hard to buy for, then head to Callaway Gardens.
OK, Rachel Crumbley, are you happy with this blog?
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Cooking
The more I get to know Jamie Keating, the more I like the man.
I first met Jamie, who was the executive chef for Milliken up in LaGrange, two years ago. He was the head judge at the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens' Galloping Gourmets competition.
He was amazing. Just his knowledge of food was mind-boggling.
I told him I had him on my list of people I needed to interview.
Well, it took another couple of years for me to get around to talking to him. It was when he decided to reopen the Columbus Museum's The Place for Taste Cafe.
The plans he's got for the Bibb Mill, where he opened his first restaurant, the RiverMill Cafe, is going to be the talk of the town and the place to go.
Sitting in the little sunroom of the RiverMill Cafe, you get this glorious view of the Chattahoochee River. It's simply gorgeous.
Then he showed me where the main dining room is going to be once the planned hotel goes in. Wow!
Until then, he has the two lunch-time restaurants, and he's conducting cooking classes.
He's got one 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the RiverMill Cafe, 3715 First Ave.
Jamie's going to demonstrate how to make holiday appetizers and give tips on how to cook a turkey and other "big" items for dinner without stressing yourself out.
For $25, you get to listen to Jamie, taste the food and get a booklet of the recipes.
It's not a bad deal.
Call Cathy Stout at 706-302-8208 and let her know you're coming.
I first met Jamie, who was the executive chef for Milliken up in LaGrange, two years ago. He was the head judge at the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens' Galloping Gourmets competition.
He was amazing. Just his knowledge of food was mind-boggling.
I told him I had him on my list of people I needed to interview.
Well, it took another couple of years for me to get around to talking to him. It was when he decided to reopen the Columbus Museum's The Place for Taste Cafe.
The plans he's got for the Bibb Mill, where he opened his first restaurant, the RiverMill Cafe, is going to be the talk of the town and the place to go.
Sitting in the little sunroom of the RiverMill Cafe, you get this glorious view of the Chattahoochee River. It's simply gorgeous.
Then he showed me where the main dining room is going to be once the planned hotel goes in. Wow!
Until then, he has the two lunch-time restaurants, and he's conducting cooking classes.
He's got one 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the RiverMill Cafe, 3715 First Ave.
Jamie's going to demonstrate how to make holiday appetizers and give tips on how to cook a turkey and other "big" items for dinner without stressing yourself out.
For $25, you get to listen to Jamie, taste the food and get a booklet of the recipes.
It's not a bad deal.
Call Cathy Stout at 706-302-8208 and let her know you're coming.
Friday, November 9, 2007
I've been bad
I haven't kept up with this blog like I should have. But you've got to understand that I'm from a completely different era than my co-workers. I'm at least 20 years older than most of them!
And then it was time to drive back to Atlanta to take Jess back to the airport so she can start classes again. It was raining Monday and it continue to rain on and off the rest of the time we were up in the mountains.
You'd think we'd never seen livestock before.
My friend Troy Heard keeps encouraging me, and I thank him for nagging me ever so gently!
The past two weeks, I've been on vacation. And then when I got back, I got bogged down by work. And, OK, it's been almost three weeks since I last wrote anything.
Vacation was wonderful. My brother, Fred, and his wife, Cheryl, own a time share and this year, decided to vacation in North Georgia. They picked a resort called Big Canoe, which is near Ellijay.
The first day, we went to Stone Mountain Park. It's been almost 10 years since I visited the park and I've never actually walked up or down the mountain. This time, we rode the cable car up and walked down. It was easier than I thought it would be, but you just have to watch your step.
This is my niece Jessica, on top of Stone Mountain. She just turned 20, and is a junior at the University of Florida. We picked her up at the airport in Atlanta before going to Stone Mountain.
The next day, we went to Big Canoe. But we stopped at the Ellijay Apple Festival first. I don't know why I didn't take photos there. Actually, it was a big arts and crafts fair with not much to do with apples.
On Sunday, we drove up to Blue Ridge, Ga., and rode the historic train to McCaysville, Ga. It was an absolutely gorgeous trip. The weather was perfect.
And then it was time to drive back to Atlanta to take Jess back to the airport so she can start classes again. It was raining Monday and it continue to rain on and off the rest of the time we were up in the mountains.We went to Amicalola State Park one day. We ate lunch at the lodge and decided to walk down to the falls. It turned out there is the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls and each area has a parking lot. We were parked at the top. So we walked down to the bottom of the Lower Falls. This is Cheryl and Fred at the middle point of our walk.
I may have been able to walk to the middle, but I doubt that I could haved walked all the way back up. Cheryl is in worse shape than me, so we made Fred go back up and drive the car down and pick us up.
Isn't that what brothers are for? But then, we had to listen to him make fun of us the rest of the trip. I didn't care. My legs were really wobbly and I was tired. Besides, I'm almost a senior citizen, so I think I did really well.
On the last day, we stopped at this little farm and fed the animals all the veggies and fruit we had left over -- carrots, cabbage, apples. Here's Cheryl feeding the horse.
You'd think we'd never seen livestock before.That's what I did on my fall vacation.
It's actually the first time I took a whole week off this year. I don't know what I was thinking!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
George Carlin
The last time George Carlin was in Columbus must have been 12 years ago. It was in the old Three Arts Theater.
I interviewed him then and I thought it was odd that he wanted me to tape the interview. I did it, though I didn't tell him that the tape recorder didn't work when I connected it to my phone. I'm not the most electronically savvy person in the world.
I didn't see him then. I remember that week, though. One copy editor was on vacation and the other copy editor had a family emergency. I had to edit and lay out the entire entertainment section by myself. So it's at least 10 years ago because this was before we started To Do, which first published in 1997.
I just came from the Bill Heard Theatre where Carlin performed.
What I didn't know was that he brought an opening act. Not another comedian, though. Vance Gilbert, a very talented singer/songwriter performed. Armed with just a guitar and that fabulous voice, he won over the audience, even those who were heckling him.
Actually, I found out that Gilbert was going to open because Steve Sweet, the RiverCenter's technical director, told me. He said he had not seen Carlin all day. I asked if he was in his dressing room. "He hasn't been in the building," was what Steve said. In fact, Steve had to pick him up at 7:50 p.m.
Gilbert was on stage until 8 p.m. Then there was a 20 minute intermission.
And Carlin hit the stage around 8:20 p.m.
Unlike most of the people who have performed on that stage, he never acknowledged the fact that he was in Columbus. Not once.
That's not a crime, but a little odd.
I mean when I interviewed Kathy Griffin and Lily Tomlin, they both asked lots of questions about Columbus. Griffin used some of it in her act, and I was told that Tomlin did, too.
Carlin says he works up new material on the road and every 2-3 years, he does an HBO special. He'll be filming his 14th such show soon.
He apologized that he'd be checking his notes from time to time. And he did go through his stack of papers. But he never missed a beat.
Carlin's celebrating his 50th anniversary in show business. I remember watching him on the old shows like "The Merv Griffin Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show." He was funny without using profanity. But he really doesn't use profanity for the sake of saying four-letter words. He uses profanity to punctuate his thoughts.
But he did tell some vile, disgusting, politically incorrect jokes. Jokes that he said people would be telling their friends on their cell phones even as they hit the lobby.
I noticed a few people with their phones out. I wonder if they were telling that especially bad Ozarks hillbilly joke.
My sides do ache a little from laughing.
And there were a lot of people in the Heard Theatre. As far as I could see, no one left the auditorium. I guess when people go see George Carlin, they know what to expect.
The show was irreverent and very funny. He made fun of parents who didn't let their kids be kids but scheduled play dates for them. He made fun of the entire Bush family.
The last thing he said really hit home for me. He said Americans assume we have all the rights in the world. But during World War II, Americans were sent to detention centers because their parents were born in the wrong country. My father was one of those people sent to camps.
Carlin says sometimes, rights are not rights, but they are privileges.
The only bad thing was we were sitting in the row in front of these two yahoos who yammered all through Gilbert's act. I mean they were talking loudly. After about 15 minutes, just as I was going to turn around to ask them to either quit talking or go out into the lobby, my sweet, mild-mannered sister-in-law, Cheryl, turned around and asked them to be quiet.
To their credit, they did shut up. But when Carlin came out, they hooted and hollered and whistled. I didn't mind that so much, because everyone was laughing. But they just had to bang on the backs of our seats.
Oh, well. There are rude people everywhere.
Let me know what you thought of the show.
I interviewed him then and I thought it was odd that he wanted me to tape the interview. I did it, though I didn't tell him that the tape recorder didn't work when I connected it to my phone. I'm not the most electronically savvy person in the world.
I didn't see him then. I remember that week, though. One copy editor was on vacation and the other copy editor had a family emergency. I had to edit and lay out the entire entertainment section by myself. So it's at least 10 years ago because this was before we started To Do, which first published in 1997.
I just came from the Bill Heard Theatre where Carlin performed.
What I didn't know was that he brought an opening act. Not another comedian, though. Vance Gilbert, a very talented singer/songwriter performed. Armed with just a guitar and that fabulous voice, he won over the audience, even those who were heckling him.
Actually, I found out that Gilbert was going to open because Steve Sweet, the RiverCenter's technical director, told me. He said he had not seen Carlin all day. I asked if he was in his dressing room. "He hasn't been in the building," was what Steve said. In fact, Steve had to pick him up at 7:50 p.m.
Gilbert was on stage until 8 p.m. Then there was a 20 minute intermission.
And Carlin hit the stage around 8:20 p.m.
Unlike most of the people who have performed on that stage, he never acknowledged the fact that he was in Columbus. Not once.
That's not a crime, but a little odd.
I mean when I interviewed Kathy Griffin and Lily Tomlin, they both asked lots of questions about Columbus. Griffin used some of it in her act, and I was told that Tomlin did, too.
Carlin says he works up new material on the road and every 2-3 years, he does an HBO special. He'll be filming his 14th such show soon.
He apologized that he'd be checking his notes from time to time. And he did go through his stack of papers. But he never missed a beat.
Carlin's celebrating his 50th anniversary in show business. I remember watching him on the old shows like "The Merv Griffin Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show." He was funny without using profanity. But he really doesn't use profanity for the sake of saying four-letter words. He uses profanity to punctuate his thoughts.
But he did tell some vile, disgusting, politically incorrect jokes. Jokes that he said people would be telling their friends on their cell phones even as they hit the lobby.
I noticed a few people with their phones out. I wonder if they were telling that especially bad Ozarks hillbilly joke.
My sides do ache a little from laughing.
And there were a lot of people in the Heard Theatre. As far as I could see, no one left the auditorium. I guess when people go see George Carlin, they know what to expect.
The show was irreverent and very funny. He made fun of parents who didn't let their kids be kids but scheduled play dates for them. He made fun of the entire Bush family.
The last thing he said really hit home for me. He said Americans assume we have all the rights in the world. But during World War II, Americans were sent to detention centers because their parents were born in the wrong country. My father was one of those people sent to camps.
Carlin says sometimes, rights are not rights, but they are privileges.
The only bad thing was we were sitting in the row in front of these two yahoos who yammered all through Gilbert's act. I mean they were talking loudly. After about 15 minutes, just as I was going to turn around to ask them to either quit talking or go out into the lobby, my sweet, mild-mannered sister-in-law, Cheryl, turned around and asked them to be quiet.
To their credit, they did shut up. But when Carlin came out, they hooted and hollered and whistled. I didn't mind that so much, because everyone was laughing. But they just had to bang on the backs of our seats.
Oh, well. There are rude people everywhere.
Let me know what you thought of the show.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Procedure update
My endoscopy went very well yesterday.
Just like my colonoscopy last year, I had to go to the Medical Center at 6 a.m. My sister, Nancy, drove me there and stayed until I was ready to go home.
Unlike my colonoscopy, I didn't have to take any laxatives. Thank God!
And I don't remember a thing, except the crew in the room. They were the same ones from last year -- Angela and Dionne.
Dr. Prakash J. Thiruppathi did the procedure because Dr. A.D. Patel had back problems.
Dr. Thiruppathi spoke to my sister and told her that I had inflammations in my esophagus and stomach. He took some biopsies and he'll let me know what's going on with my digestive system.
That's that.
I'm hoping this will be it for a while.
Just like my colonoscopy last year, I had to go to the Medical Center at 6 a.m. My sister, Nancy, drove me there and stayed until I was ready to go home.
Unlike my colonoscopy, I didn't have to take any laxatives. Thank God!
And I don't remember a thing, except the crew in the room. They were the same ones from last year -- Angela and Dionne.
Dr. Prakash J. Thiruppathi did the procedure because Dr. A.D. Patel had back problems.
Dr. Thiruppathi spoke to my sister and told her that I had inflammations in my esophagus and stomach. He took some biopsies and he'll let me know what's going on with my digestive system.
That's that.
I'm hoping this will be it for a while.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
R. Kelly tickets
Hey, tickets for the R. Kelly show are $42.50, $52.50 and $62.50. They go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the Columbus Civic Center. The show is scheduled for Nov. 14.
Or you can go to any area Publix grocery store.
Or go to www.ticketmaster.com or call 706-494-8330.
The T.I. concert tickets also go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, so be prepared to stand in line.
Or you can go to any area Publix grocery store.
Or go to www.ticketmaster.com or call 706-494-8330.
The T.I. concert tickets also go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, so be prepared to stand in line.
Monday, October 1, 2007
A Busy Monday
It's only Monday, but it's been so busy.
First, I have to get a lot of stuff done because of that endoscopy scheduled for Wednesday.
Then the phone was ringing off the hook.
Lisa Allen, one of the new owners of Columbus Cooks, called and said she had Japanese nutritionist Sachiko Okada coming Wednesday to cook and lecture from noon-1:30 p.m. Of course, I can't be there.
But there's nothing stopping you from going. It should be a very interesting 90 minutes. Apparently, Okada had a skin condition that she blamed on aging. I know how that is! Anyway, she said her condition was "horrible." But after adding some supplements to her diet, her skin cleared up in two months. She'll talk about that and how food can help with your every day vitality.
Columbus Cooks is at 1658 Rollins Way.
Call 706-653-4700.
But the really big news is R. Kelly is coming to town. My friend Travis Steele, who is the assistant to Leonard Rowe, a big-time promoter who is originally from Columbus, but now living and working in Atlanta, called with the news.
Travis tried to get the tour to the Columbus Civic Center last year, but when Kelly's child pornography trial was moved, that tour fell apart.
The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Opening the show are J Holiday and Keyshia Cole.
Ticket prices will be announced Tuesday, but they go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.
You can go to the Civic Center box office or to area Publix grocery stores. Or call 706-494-8330 or go to www.ticketmaster.com
The T.I. tickets go on sale Friday, too, so be ready for long lines. The T.I. concert with Yung Joc and DK, also at the Civic Center, will be 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Tickets are $29.50-$39.50.
The really cool thing about the R. Kelly concert is he'll be rehearsing here for three days and then kick of his 40-city tour from Columbus.
First, I have to get a lot of stuff done because of that endoscopy scheduled for Wednesday.
Then the phone was ringing off the hook.
Lisa Allen, one of the new owners of Columbus Cooks, called and said she had Japanese nutritionist Sachiko Okada coming Wednesday to cook and lecture from noon-1:30 p.m. Of course, I can't be there.
But there's nothing stopping you from going. It should be a very interesting 90 minutes. Apparently, Okada had a skin condition that she blamed on aging. I know how that is! Anyway, she said her condition was "horrible." But after adding some supplements to her diet, her skin cleared up in two months. She'll talk about that and how food can help with your every day vitality.
Columbus Cooks is at 1658 Rollins Way.
Call 706-653-4700.
But the really big news is R. Kelly is coming to town. My friend Travis Steele, who is the assistant to Leonard Rowe, a big-time promoter who is originally from Columbus, but now living and working in Atlanta, called with the news.
Travis tried to get the tour to the Columbus Civic Center last year, but when Kelly's child pornography trial was moved, that tour fell apart.
The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Opening the show are J Holiday and Keyshia Cole.
Ticket prices will be announced Tuesday, but they go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.
You can go to the Civic Center box office or to area Publix grocery stores. Or call 706-494-8330 or go to www.ticketmaster.com
The T.I. tickets go on sale Friday, too, so be ready for long lines. The T.I. concert with Yung Joc and DK, also at the Civic Center, will be 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Tickets are $29.50-$39.50.
The really cool thing about the R. Kelly concert is he'll be rehearsing here for three days and then kick of his 40-city tour from Columbus.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Getting old
It really is no fun getting old.
A wise friend of mine, Louise Smith, had a dear, sweet mother, who was also named Louise.
She told me once that getting old wasn't for sissies.
She got that right.
This year, I've been sick more often than I have my entire life. I mean, I bet the first 25 years I worked at the Ledger-Enquirer, I wasn't out more than 10 days total.
This year alone, I've probably been out 10 days. It's a good thing that we can roll over some sick days from the previous year.
Last Friday, I started feeling yucky, sneezing and coughing. I was better this weekend, but didn't really do much.
Monday, I woke up with a slight fever and I was congested.
Today, I knew I had to come in, so it was a good thing I felt so much better.
It's the end of the summer, so I'm hoping this winter isn't going to be a bad one. I really hate being sick. My puppies love it when I'm home, though.
And for those of you who have asked, my mother is doing really well. She's come home to spend the night a couple of times and is at home right now. As soon as she's cleared by her physical therapist, she'll be home to stay.
Next week, I have an endoscopy scheduled. My doctor, Dr. Patel, said it's much easier than the colonoscopy I had to have last year. "No laxative," he said.
Thank goodness for that!
I'll tell you how this procedure goes.
A wise friend of mine, Louise Smith, had a dear, sweet mother, who was also named Louise.
She told me once that getting old wasn't for sissies.
She got that right.
This year, I've been sick more often than I have my entire life. I mean, I bet the first 25 years I worked at the Ledger-Enquirer, I wasn't out more than 10 days total.
This year alone, I've probably been out 10 days. It's a good thing that we can roll over some sick days from the previous year.
Last Friday, I started feeling yucky, sneezing and coughing. I was better this weekend, but didn't really do much.
Monday, I woke up with a slight fever and I was congested.
Today, I knew I had to come in, so it was a good thing I felt so much better.
It's the end of the summer, so I'm hoping this winter isn't going to be a bad one. I really hate being sick. My puppies love it when I'm home, though.
And for those of you who have asked, my mother is doing really well. She's come home to spend the night a couple of times and is at home right now. As soon as she's cleared by her physical therapist, she'll be home to stay.
Next week, I have an endoscopy scheduled. My doctor, Dr. Patel, said it's much easier than the colonoscopy I had to have last year. "No laxative," he said.
Thank goodness for that!
I'll tell you how this procedure goes.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
TI coming to town
I've never figured out why the Columbus Civic Center is so scared of rap acts.
I mean since it opened in 1996, I can count on the fingers of one hand all of the rap/hip hop concerts at the Civic Center.
So I was really glad that Columbus promoter Mike Blackwell is bringing TI, Yung Joc and DK to town.
The concert is scheduled for Nov. 3, right after the Fountain City Classic. Mike says there are usually 15,000 fans at the football game, so if a fraction of those folks go to the concert, along with people who just like the rappers and not football go, it should be a sell-out.
Tickets are $29.50 and $39.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Oct. 5.
"I've got a good feeling about this," Mike told me. He's got a signed contract in his hand and got the OK from Calvin Smyre, who's one of the most important people of the Fountain City Classic's top folks.
Barring anything controversial coming out of this concert, including unruly fans and the like, maybe the Civic Center will be more amenable to getting more young (and popular among fans) African American acts on the schedule.
And don't forget that tickets to the Mo'Nique show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. She'll be bringing her "fluffy" girl act with fellow comedian George Wilborn at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Bill Heard Theatre. Tickets are $26-$39. Call 706-256-3612.
I mean since it opened in 1996, I can count on the fingers of one hand all of the rap/hip hop concerts at the Civic Center.
So I was really glad that Columbus promoter Mike Blackwell is bringing TI, Yung Joc and DK to town.
The concert is scheduled for Nov. 3, right after the Fountain City Classic. Mike says there are usually 15,000 fans at the football game, so if a fraction of those folks go to the concert, along with people who just like the rappers and not football go, it should be a sell-out.
Tickets are $29.50 and $39.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Oct. 5.
"I've got a good feeling about this," Mike told me. He's got a signed contract in his hand and got the OK from Calvin Smyre, who's one of the most important people of the Fountain City Classic's top folks.
Barring anything controversial coming out of this concert, including unruly fans and the like, maybe the Civic Center will be more amenable to getting more young (and popular among fans) African American acts on the schedule.
And don't forget that tickets to the Mo'Nique show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. She'll be bringing her "fluffy" girl act with fellow comedian George Wilborn at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Bill Heard Theatre. Tickets are $26-$39. Call 706-256-3612.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Tim and Michi
No, you'll not see Tim Wilson and Michi Wiancko in the same venue.
My favorite comedian, Tim Wilson, performs at 8 p.m. tonight in the Fine Arts Hall on the Columbus State University main campus. Opening are Brent Lindley and Soupbone and comedian Roger Kies.
It's a fund-raiser for the Muscogee County Autism Support Group, and that's such a great cause. So take your $30 and get ready to laugh.
You'll have a great time.
I promise.
But the show is not for the little ones. Get a baby sitter.
Michi performs with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway.
She plays the violin, and will perform Brahms' "Violin Concerto."
When I interviewed her last week, she told me that was the favorite piece to play. She told me, "I'm just so excited. Every time I play it, it's like rediscovering it for the first time. I have nothing in my repertoire like it."
When you have a guest artist who is that excited about playing, you're in for a good time.
The orchestra will play the "Ojai Festival Overture" by Maxwell Davies and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7."
Tickets are $21-$35; $10 for college students beginning at 7 p.m. and $5 for children 11 and younger.
Call 706-256-3612.
I know that the arts season started a couple of weeks ago, but I really think it begins this weekend with the symphony.
Next weekend, the Springer Opera House and the Liberty Theatre begin their respective seasons.
So there's going to be little rest for me until next May.
Woo hoo!
See you around town.
My favorite comedian, Tim Wilson, performs at 8 p.m. tonight in the Fine Arts Hall on the Columbus State University main campus. Opening are Brent Lindley and Soupbone and comedian Roger Kies.
It's a fund-raiser for the Muscogee County Autism Support Group, and that's such a great cause. So take your $30 and get ready to laugh.
You'll have a great time.
I promise.
But the show is not for the little ones. Get a baby sitter.
Michi performs with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway.
She plays the violin, and will perform Brahms' "Violin Concerto."
When I interviewed her last week, she told me that was the favorite piece to play. She told me, "I'm just so excited. Every time I play it, it's like rediscovering it for the first time. I have nothing in my repertoire like it."
When you have a guest artist who is that excited about playing, you're in for a good time.
The orchestra will play the "Ojai Festival Overture" by Maxwell Davies and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7."
Tickets are $21-$35; $10 for college students beginning at 7 p.m. and $5 for children 11 and younger.
Call 706-256-3612.
I know that the arts season started a couple of weeks ago, but I really think it begins this weekend with the symphony.
Next weekend, the Springer Opera House and the Liberty Theatre begin their respective seasons.
So there's going to be little rest for me until next May.
Woo hoo!
See you around town.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
New art gallery
Columbus State University's department of art just dedicated the Norman Shannon and Emmy Lou P. Illges Gallery in the brand-new Corn Center for the Visual Arts downtown.
The address is 6 W. 10th St., but to get to the gallery, go in the Front Avenue entrance. You can park on the street or in the RiverCenter's parking garage. If you park in the lot at the Galleria Riverside, make sure that you park in the slots that are NOT marked in green. Those are for CSU personnel and you will be ticketed.
The 2007 Faculty Exhibition opens the 2007-08 CSU season with a reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday. And if you can't make it to the reception, the gallery is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. This exhibit runs through Oct. 19.
I saw it during a preview Monday and it's fantastic.
It features the work of Elizabeth R. McFalls, Tina Reuterberg, Orion Wertz, Jeff Kaller, Genie Bates, Trish Ramsay, Mike McFalls, Charles J. Hemard III, Claudia Evans Williams, Mara Adamitz Scrupe and Hannah Israel.
Go see what the art professors are doing. You'll be enlightened.
The address is 6 W. 10th St., but to get to the gallery, go in the Front Avenue entrance. You can park on the street or in the RiverCenter's parking garage. If you park in the lot at the Galleria Riverside, make sure that you park in the slots that are NOT marked in green. Those are for CSU personnel and you will be ticketed.
The 2007 Faculty Exhibition opens the 2007-08 CSU season with a reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday. And if you can't make it to the reception, the gallery is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. This exhibit runs through Oct. 19.
I saw it during a preview Monday and it's fantastic.
It features the work of Elizabeth R. McFalls, Tina Reuterberg, Orion Wertz, Jeff Kaller, Genie Bates, Trish Ramsay, Mike McFalls, Charles J. Hemard III, Claudia Evans Williams, Mara Adamitz Scrupe and Hannah Israel.
Go see what the art professors are doing. You'll be enlightened.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
John Scott Evans and an uh, oh
First things first.
I messed up in my column in To Do today. I was writing about Harris County High School production of "The Wizard of Oz," and said it opens today. It doesn't. I had the last part of it correct, but I sure hope you don't go to the school tonight. You might see a rehearsal, but the auditorium won't be open for business.
The correct dates are 7 p.m. Sept. 13-14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 15 and 2 p.m. Sept. 16.
So sorry.
And John Scott Evans. That young man is so talented and so nice. Once, after I wrote a story about him, he came by the newsroom with a beautiful little African violet. That plant thrived. The amazing thing is I have a black thumb and have killed many, many plants. That Africa violet was gorgeous. One day, it was gone. Someone stole it from my desk. I hope it died right away.
Anyway, I just love John. He's been away from Columbus for a while, but we'll get two chances to see him perform.
He'll be at the Phenix City Amphitheatre tonight at 7 p.m. with another of my favorite musicians, David Ragsdale. Tickets are $10.
Then tomorrow, he'll perform at 9 p.m. at The Loft, where he'll be recording another "Live at the Loft" CD. Those tickets are also $10.
If you like jazz guitar at its best, go see John Scott Evans either tonight or Friday.
You'll be glad you did.
I messed up in my column in To Do today. I was writing about Harris County High School production of "The Wizard of Oz," and said it opens today. It doesn't. I had the last part of it correct, but I sure hope you don't go to the school tonight. You might see a rehearsal, but the auditorium won't be open for business.
The correct dates are 7 p.m. Sept. 13-14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 15 and 2 p.m. Sept. 16.
So sorry.
And John Scott Evans. That young man is so talented and so nice. Once, after I wrote a story about him, he came by the newsroom with a beautiful little African violet. That plant thrived. The amazing thing is I have a black thumb and have killed many, many plants. That Africa violet was gorgeous. One day, it was gone. Someone stole it from my desk. I hope it died right away.
Anyway, I just love John. He's been away from Columbus for a while, but we'll get two chances to see him perform.
He'll be at the Phenix City Amphitheatre tonight at 7 p.m. with another of my favorite musicians, David Ragsdale. Tickets are $10.
Then tomorrow, he'll perform at 9 p.m. at The Loft, where he'll be recording another "Live at the Loft" CD. Those tickets are also $10.
If you like jazz guitar at its best, go see John Scott Evans either tonight or Friday.
You'll be glad you did.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
War Eagle!
I just had a birthday yesterday and I'm a little slower than I was on Sunday. I truly thought I'd write this post earlier. But I was pooped.
I was invited to the Auburn-Kansas State game by my good friend Geri Davis. Her family always tailgates at the home games. Saturday, it was Geri and her husband, Charles; son, Scott and his wife, Capri; son, Chuck and his wife Julie and their son, Ben. The eighth Davis was Will, Geri and Charles' grandson. Will's mom is Danni Davis Harris.
I knew all of them except Scott and Capri. And they are just as warm and friendly as the rest of the Davis clan.
I really had no idea what to expect Saturday.
They have their spot staked out behind the Telfair Peet Theatre. Scott and Capri were already there, with a tent and table. They had a portable generator so they could watch other games. And they had a portable air conditioner just in case we needed it!
I ate until I was stuffed. Scott was on one of the Food Network's famous challenges in 2004. It was the tailgate challenge and he got second place for his AU-Some Burgers. And they are truly awesome.
He also grilled some bratwurst. Capri made dips and so did Julie. Geri made pigs-in-blankets. And I made egg rolls.
Oh, we left Columbus at 12:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game!
That meant I had plenty of time to eat. We did walk around a little bit.
I told my mother that the best part of the whole day was the Tiger Walk. I could not believe the size of those football players. Those boys are huge. I couldn't believe the number of people who lined the streets the cheer on the team. Julie told me that for some games, the crowds are even bigger.
The weather was perfect. It was overcast for most of the day. Oh, well, then it rained just before the game started.
Fortunately, Geri packed ponchos. I never got wet. But that meant the eagle couldn't fly. And that's what I really, really wanted to see.
The game was OK. The team needs some work because they almost got beaten. It was in the latter part of the fourth quarter when the team looked like they decided they wanted to win.
I got home around 12:30 a.m., which meant I spent about 12 hours traveling to and from Auburn, tailgating and going to a game.
I had the best time!
I'd recommend it to anyone. I'm hoping that Dimon's going to let me go to some of the other games to judge the best tailgating contest that we're doing.
I'm an expert on tailgating now.
I was invited to the Auburn-Kansas State game by my good friend Geri Davis. Her family always tailgates at the home games. Saturday, it was Geri and her husband, Charles; son, Scott and his wife, Capri; son, Chuck and his wife Julie and their son, Ben. The eighth Davis was Will, Geri and Charles' grandson. Will's mom is Danni Davis Harris.
I knew all of them except Scott and Capri. And they are just as warm and friendly as the rest of the Davis clan.
I really had no idea what to expect Saturday.
They have their spot staked out behind the Telfair Peet Theatre. Scott and Capri were already there, with a tent and table. They had a portable generator so they could watch other games. And they had a portable air conditioner just in case we needed it!
I ate until I was stuffed. Scott was on one of the Food Network's famous challenges in 2004. It was the tailgate challenge and he got second place for his AU-Some Burgers. And they are truly awesome.
He also grilled some bratwurst. Capri made dips and so did Julie. Geri made pigs-in-blankets. And I made egg rolls.
Oh, we left Columbus at 12:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game!
That meant I had plenty of time to eat. We did walk around a little bit.
I told my mother that the best part of the whole day was the Tiger Walk. I could not believe the size of those football players. Those boys are huge. I couldn't believe the number of people who lined the streets the cheer on the team. Julie told me that for some games, the crowds are even bigger.
The weather was perfect. It was overcast for most of the day. Oh, well, then it rained just before the game started.
Fortunately, Geri packed ponchos. I never got wet. But that meant the eagle couldn't fly. And that's what I really, really wanted to see.
The game was OK. The team needs some work because they almost got beaten. It was in the latter part of the fourth quarter when the team looked like they decided they wanted to win.
I got home around 12:30 a.m., which meant I spent about 12 hours traveling to and from Auburn, tailgating and going to a game.
I had the best time!
I'd recommend it to anyone. I'm hoping that Dimon's going to let me go to some of the other games to judge the best tailgating contest that we're doing.
I'm an expert on tailgating now.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Jessica
Today is Jessica's birthday. I cannot believe my niece is 20.
I remember when she turned 10, she bitterly complained that Princess Diana died on her birthday, and everyone was talking about that, instead of remembering that it was her birthday.
Now that she's older, I think she knows that the world does not revolve around her. In fact, she's going to do a great deal of good for the world. I know it.
When Jess came home from the University of Florida this summer, she announced that she's a vegan. She really wants to do good things. She worked as an intern for Cathy Williams and the NeighborWorks Columbus office this summer. Cathy is still raving about how she loves Jess. Cathy graduated from Spencer High School with Fred in 1975, so she's known us for a long time. But she had not met Jess until this summer.
So next summer, I expect she'll be in some third world country. Or rather economically undeveloped country as she corrected me one night!
I hope she stays like this forever, though sadly, I'm sure she'll be disillusioned some day.
In the meantime, happy birthday, baby girl!
I remember when she turned 10, she bitterly complained that Princess Diana died on her birthday, and everyone was talking about that, instead of remembering that it was her birthday.
Now that she's older, I think she knows that the world does not revolve around her. In fact, she's going to do a great deal of good for the world. I know it.
When Jess came home from the University of Florida this summer, she announced that she's a vegan. She really wants to do good things. She worked as an intern for Cathy Williams and the NeighborWorks Columbus office this summer. Cathy is still raving about how she loves Jess. Cathy graduated from Spencer High School with Fred in 1975, so she's known us for a long time. But she had not met Jess until this summer.
So next summer, I expect she'll be in some third world country. Or rather economically undeveloped country as she corrected me one night!
I hope she stays like this forever, though sadly, I'm sure she'll be disillusioned some day.
In the meantime, happy birthday, baby girl!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tailgating at Auburn University
I have never been to a college football game.
Ever.
Wait. Let me amend that.
I have been to two bowl games where Auburn University played. One was a Peach Bowl in Atlanta and the other was the Blockbuster Bowl at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. The Blockbuster Bowl is now called something else and Joe Robbie is now called Dolphin Stadium.
Why? My brother, Fred, decided that we should go.
The first one was the Peach Bowl and it was in the old Fulton County Stadium. I just remember that I've never been colder in my life. I was wearing long underwear, heavy socks, rain boots, a sweater, sweatshirt and rain jacket. Oh, and gloves. It was raining and freezing. We were miserable. I can't even remember the other team.
The second one was when Fred still lived in South Florida and we went down there to visit over the Christmas holiday. That day was nothing like the first bowl game I went to. It was warm. I think we were wearing shorts that day. And I can't remember the other team for that game, either.
This Saturday, I'm going to see Auburn play in its own stadium.
My good friend Geri Davis e-mailed me and said she had an extra ticket and would I like to go.
Sure!
I know that they tailgate. Her son, Scott, even has an air conditioner for the tent! Can you imagine?
I'm going to have so much fun. I'll let you know how it went.
Ever.
Wait. Let me amend that.
I have been to two bowl games where Auburn University played. One was a Peach Bowl in Atlanta and the other was the Blockbuster Bowl at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. The Blockbuster Bowl is now called something else and Joe Robbie is now called Dolphin Stadium.
Why? My brother, Fred, decided that we should go.
The first one was the Peach Bowl and it was in the old Fulton County Stadium. I just remember that I've never been colder in my life. I was wearing long underwear, heavy socks, rain boots, a sweater, sweatshirt and rain jacket. Oh, and gloves. It was raining and freezing. We were miserable. I can't even remember the other team.
The second one was when Fred still lived in South Florida and we went down there to visit over the Christmas holiday. That day was nothing like the first bowl game I went to. It was warm. I think we were wearing shorts that day. And I can't remember the other team for that game, either.
This Saturday, I'm going to see Auburn play in its own stadium.
My good friend Geri Davis e-mailed me and said she had an extra ticket and would I like to go.
Sure!
I know that they tailgate. Her son, Scott, even has an air conditioner for the tent! Can you imagine?
I'm going to have so much fun. I'll let you know how it went.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Pottery show
I always say that when I retire, I'm going to learn how to throw a pot.
I'd do it now except I'd have to cut my nails really short and I'm loath to do that. My fingers are short enough! When I have really short nails, my hands look like they belong to a 5-year-old. My hands really look like a toddler's, complete with dimples. Really. Well, now that I'm almost 55-years-old, I do have a couple of age spots and a scar on my left hand where my Chihuahua, Chipper, got me two weeks ago. Chipper, who is, as you know, an ill-tempered little boy, got mad at me when I told him he had to go out. He didn't want to go out and he didn't like it that I told him he had to, so he struck out at me.
I digress.
There's a pottery show called "Perspectives '07" at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, 34 School St., in Watkinsville, Ga. Watkinsville, I'm told, is just south of Athens.
Our very own Jeff Kaller and Tina Reuterberg, who teach at Columbus State University's art department, will have their pots in the show. Other area potters, Stephen Hawks of Lumpkin and Allen Gee of Greenville, are among the 50 Georgia potters in the show.
The opening reception is 6-9 p.m. Friday and it costs $5.
The regular hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1-19. The exhibit is free. And remember, you can buy many of the works on display.
There are two workshops: "Image Transfer to Ceramics Without Firing," 9 a.m.-noon and "From Pet Portraits to Complex Conceptual Elitist Installation Imagery: Success with Laser Print Transfers," 1-4 p.m. Saturday. The fee is $55 for each; $60 for both. Lunch is included.
"Simple Glaze," an exhibit of pots by Geoff Pickett, can be seen Sept. 1-19 in the Members Gallery.
And then there's the Athens Pottery Studio Tours, 1-5 p.m. Sept. 9. It's free.
Call 706-769-4565, or go to www.ocaf.com
I'd do it now except I'd have to cut my nails really short and I'm loath to do that. My fingers are short enough! When I have really short nails, my hands look like they belong to a 5-year-old. My hands really look like a toddler's, complete with dimples. Really. Well, now that I'm almost 55-years-old, I do have a couple of age spots and a scar on my left hand where my Chihuahua, Chipper, got me two weeks ago. Chipper, who is, as you know, an ill-tempered little boy, got mad at me when I told him he had to go out. He didn't want to go out and he didn't like it that I told him he had to, so he struck out at me.
I digress.
There's a pottery show called "Perspectives '07" at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, 34 School St., in Watkinsville, Ga. Watkinsville, I'm told, is just south of Athens.
Our very own Jeff Kaller and Tina Reuterberg, who teach at Columbus State University's art department, will have their pots in the show. Other area potters, Stephen Hawks of Lumpkin and Allen Gee of Greenville, are among the 50 Georgia potters in the show.
The opening reception is 6-9 p.m. Friday and it costs $5.
The regular hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1-19. The exhibit is free. And remember, you can buy many of the works on display.
There are two workshops: "Image Transfer to Ceramics Without Firing," 9 a.m.-noon and "From Pet Portraits to Complex Conceptual Elitist Installation Imagery: Success with Laser Print Transfers," 1-4 p.m. Saturday. The fee is $55 for each; $60 for both. Lunch is included.
"Simple Glaze," an exhibit of pots by Geoff Pickett, can be seen Sept. 1-19 in the Members Gallery.
And then there's the Athens Pottery Studio Tours, 1-5 p.m. Sept. 9. It's free.
Call 706-769-4565, or go to www.ocaf.com
Friday, August 24, 2007
Where to Park in Uptown Columbus
If you're scared to come downtown at night, it's probably been a while since you've been downtown.
Like 30 years.
I've worked downtown for more than that and I've never felt unsafe. And I've walked around at night by myself, leaving work to go to various parking garages.
One of the best things that the Columbus Business Improvement District has done recently is put out a brochure called "Where to Park in Uptown Columbus."
You can pick it up practically anywhere downtown.
There's a map that shows points of interest and all the lots where you can park.
I always laugh when I see people circling the blocks looking for a parking spot on Broadway. All you have to do is go down a block to the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts' parking garage. At night and weekends, it's free. During the day, it costs $2 to park.
OK, so you might have to walk half a block. Big deal.
If you're by yourself and feel jittery about walking to and from your parking spot to say, a restaurant, the RiverCenter or the Springer Opera House, all you have to do is call BID and ask for an escort. Those cheerful guys in purple (officially, they're called Hospitality Patrol Ambassadors) are on duty from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 2:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Just call 706-322-9078 or if you see them walking around, ask them for help.
Or take your entourage. That's what I do.
Like 30 years.
I've worked downtown for more than that and I've never felt unsafe. And I've walked around at night by myself, leaving work to go to various parking garages.
One of the best things that the Columbus Business Improvement District has done recently is put out a brochure called "Where to Park in Uptown Columbus."
You can pick it up practically anywhere downtown.
There's a map that shows points of interest and all the lots where you can park.
I always laugh when I see people circling the blocks looking for a parking spot on Broadway. All you have to do is go down a block to the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts' parking garage. At night and weekends, it's free. During the day, it costs $2 to park.
OK, so you might have to walk half a block. Big deal.
If you're by yourself and feel jittery about walking to and from your parking spot to say, a restaurant, the RiverCenter or the Springer Opera House, all you have to do is call BID and ask for an escort. Those cheerful guys in purple (officially, they're called Hospitality Patrol Ambassadors) are on duty from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 2:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Just call 706-322-9078 or if you see them walking around, ask them for help.
Or take your entourage. That's what I do.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
TV
I have a friend, Oz Roberts, who watches reality TV. That's about all he ever watches.
I think it's catching.
The first show I watched was "Project Runway." Then it was "Design Star," "Dancing With the Stars," "So You Think You Can Dance" and Gene Simmons' show. Then came my addiction to watching HGTV. Now, I'm watching "Flipping Out" on Bravo.
At least I know Chris Elwood, who's on "Flipping Out." That's my excuse for watching that show.
So now, I can't make fun of people who watch "Survivor," "The Apprentic," "The Amazing Race" or "American Idol." I've become one of them. Except I don't watch those shows.
I know I will not watch "Celebrity Apprentice." I read that the Donald wants to have Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears on that version of his show.
Yuck. If that happens, it really is the end of western civilization as we know it.
I think it's catching.
The first show I watched was "Project Runway." Then it was "Design Star," "Dancing With the Stars," "So You Think You Can Dance" and Gene Simmons' show. Then came my addiction to watching HGTV. Now, I'm watching "Flipping Out" on Bravo.
At least I know Chris Elwood, who's on "Flipping Out." That's my excuse for watching that show.
So now, I can't make fun of people who watch "Survivor," "The Apprentic," "The Amazing Race" or "American Idol." I've become one of them. Except I don't watch those shows.
I know I will not watch "Celebrity Apprentice." I read that the Donald wants to have Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears on that version of his show.
Yuck. If that happens, it really is the end of western civilization as we know it.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Libby Awards
For reasons I won't go into now, I missed last Saturday's Libby Awards at the Liberty Theatre.
Let's just say I got very busy and forgot. I couldn't believe it!
I always have fun at the awards show. I get to dress up and be a presenter.
Thank goodness Jackie Egins was there to back me up.
Anyway, here are the winners.
Oh, and most embarrassing of all? I was given the Community Media Award for print!
The winner in the broadcast division was Greg Funderburg of WTVM 9 and the print media company was the Columbus Times.
The other winners:
Community Church Sponsor: St. James CME Church, pastor Rev. Reginald G. Barnes Sr.
Youth Leadership Award: Curtis McCloud
Community Organization Award: The Links
Corporate Award: Synovus
Rising Star: Michael Young, who played C.C. White in "Dreamgirls"
Newcomer Award: T.J. Abner, who played the Wiz in "The Wiz"
"Dreamgirls"
Best Supporting Actress: Samantha Daniels (Deena)
Best Actress: Nadiyah Hollis (Effie)
Best Supporting Actor: Edward Senior V (Curtis)
Best Actor: Ometrise Richmond (Jimmy)
"A Star Ain't Nothing But a Hole in Heaven"
Best Supporting Actor: Laura Lowe (Mamie)
Best Actor: Tiffany Hutchison (Pokie)
"The Wiz"
Best Supporting Actress: A tie between Cheryl Johnson (Adaperle) and T'Nesha Pruitt (Glinda)
Best Actress: Samantha Daniels (Dorothy)
Best Supporting Actor: t.J. Still (Gatekeeper)
Best Actor: Antonio Lawrence (Lion)
Best Song in "Dreamgirls": "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" sung by Nadiyah Hollis
Best Song in "The Wiz": "Home" sung by Samantha Daniels
Best Play: "Dreamgirls"
Congratulations to all!
I hope I'm invited back next year. I promise I'll be there!
Let's just say I got very busy and forgot. I couldn't believe it!
I always have fun at the awards show. I get to dress up and be a presenter.
Thank goodness Jackie Egins was there to back me up.
Anyway, here are the winners.
Oh, and most embarrassing of all? I was given the Community Media Award for print!
The winner in the broadcast division was Greg Funderburg of WTVM 9 and the print media company was the Columbus Times.
The other winners:
Community Church Sponsor: St. James CME Church, pastor Rev. Reginald G. Barnes Sr.
Youth Leadership Award: Curtis McCloud
Community Organization Award: The Links
Corporate Award: Synovus
Rising Star: Michael Young, who played C.C. White in "Dreamgirls"
Newcomer Award: T.J. Abner, who played the Wiz in "The Wiz"
"Dreamgirls"
Best Supporting Actress: Samantha Daniels (Deena)
Best Actress: Nadiyah Hollis (Effie)
Best Supporting Actor: Edward Senior V (Curtis)
Best Actor: Ometrise Richmond (Jimmy)
"A Star Ain't Nothing But a Hole in Heaven"
Best Supporting Actor: Laura Lowe (Mamie)
Best Actor: Tiffany Hutchison (Pokie)
"The Wiz"
Best Supporting Actress: A tie between Cheryl Johnson (Adaperle) and T'Nesha Pruitt (Glinda)
Best Actress: Samantha Daniels (Dorothy)
Best Supporting Actor: t.J. Still (Gatekeeper)
Best Actor: Antonio Lawrence (Lion)
Best Song in "Dreamgirls": "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" sung by Nadiyah Hollis
Best Song in "The Wiz": "Home" sung by Samantha Daniels
Best Play: "Dreamgirls"
Congratulations to all!
I hope I'm invited back next year. I promise I'll be there!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Thank God it's Friday!
Do you ever get so happy that it's the weekend you could almost cry?
I've been so tired that all I'm going to do this weekend is sleep. I'll wake up when the dogs wake me up, but that's it.
I'm not leaving the house.
Really.
Of course, I feel like I'm coming down with the dreaded summer cold. And with my mother's precarious health, I'm not going to see her this weekend. The last thing she needs is a cold.
If anyone needs me, leave a message.
I may or may not call you back this weekend.
Sayonara.
I've been so tired that all I'm going to do this weekend is sleep. I'll wake up when the dogs wake me up, but that's it.
I'm not leaving the house.
Really.
Of course, I feel like I'm coming down with the dreaded summer cold. And with my mother's precarious health, I'm not going to see her this weekend. The last thing she needs is a cold.
If anyone needs me, leave a message.
I may or may not call you back this weekend.
Sayonara.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
HGTV Wants You!
Well, HGTV wants you if you're in the market to buy a house.
The show, "My First Place," features first-time home buyers and the problems they face. The show follows people as they look for a house, bid on it, go through the inspection process and buy a house. Then they follow-up and see how they're doing once they've settled in.
I really haven't seen the show, though I watch a lot of HGTV. I really like "What's With That House?" and "House Hunters." I really don't know how people can afford to buy those houses on "House Hunters," but that's probably because I work at a newspaper.
I was flipping channels one night and saw someone I know on "What With That House?" I knew that my friend Roger Nygard, who is a filmmaker (he directed "Trekkies"), had a new house, but didn't realize that he was on that show. I think it's called the Petal House.
Getting back to "My First Place," if you're interested in being on the show, e-mail casting coordinator Keri Grogan at kgrogan@highnoonentertainment.com and ask her for an application. Or you can e-mail myfirstplace@highnoonentertainment.com and ask for an application.
Filming begins in September, so get in touch with Keri soon if you want to be on the show.
And if you are chosen, let me know so I can write about it.
The show, "My First Place," features first-time home buyers and the problems they face. The show follows people as they look for a house, bid on it, go through the inspection process and buy a house. Then they follow-up and see how they're doing once they've settled in.
I really haven't seen the show, though I watch a lot of HGTV. I really like "What's With That House?" and "House Hunters." I really don't know how people can afford to buy those houses on "House Hunters," but that's probably because I work at a newspaper.
I was flipping channels one night and saw someone I know on "What With That House?" I knew that my friend Roger Nygard, who is a filmmaker (he directed "Trekkies"), had a new house, but didn't realize that he was on that show. I think it's called the Petal House.
Getting back to "My First Place," if you're interested in being on the show, e-mail casting coordinator Keri Grogan at kgrogan@highnoonentertainment.com and ask her for an application. Or you can e-mail myfirstplace@highnoonentertainment.com and ask for an application.
Filming begins in September, so get in touch with Keri soon if you want to be on the show.
And if you are chosen, let me know so I can write about it.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Single tickets for the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts are on sale now
If you're like me and can't afford to buy season tickets to the various series at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, single tickets have gone on sale. Now, I can pick and choose the shows I want to attend.
These dates are in order, not by series:
The Golden Dragon Acrobats: 7 p.m. Sept. 7. Bill Heard Theatre. All children's tickets are $5; adult tickets are $10-$22.
The Four Tops: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Bill Heard Theatre. $29.50, $39.50, $42.50.
Masked Marvels and Wondertales: Presented by Michael Cooper, 7 p.m. Oct. 2. Bill Heard Theatre. All children's tickets are $5; adult tickets are $8-$15.
George Carlin: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Bill Heard Theatre. $29.50, $39.50, $49.50.
Up Close and Personal: Clint Black. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Bill Heard Theatre. $44, $48, $52.
Pilobolus Dance Co.: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Bill Heard Theatre. $22.50, $27.50, $32.50.
Edgar Meyer, Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27. Bill Heard Theatre. $26, $33, $39.
3 Mo' Divas: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8. Bill Heard Theatre. $39, $45, $49.
Trinity Irish Dance Academy: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30. Bill Heard Theatre. $19, $25, $29.
Cantus Christmas 2007: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Legacy Hall. $32.
Tosca: Presented by the Teatro Lirico d'Europa, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $28, $32, $42.
Imani Winds: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9, 2008. Legacy Hall. $36.
Anne Murray: 7:30 p.m. March 11, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $37, $43, $49.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Presented by the Montana Repertory Theatre, 7:30 p.m. March 13, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $19, $29, $32.
The Cleveland Orchestra: 4 p.m. March 30, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $55, $65, $75.
A Year With Frog and Toad: 7 p.m. April 15, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. All children's tickets are $5; adult tickets are $8, $15, $17.
Woven Harmony: With Robert and Rebecca Bluestone, 7:30 p.m. April 25, 2008. Legacy Hall. $32.
Giselle: Presented by the St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre, 7:30 p.m. April 29, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $10, $25, $39.
It looks like another great year for the RiverCenter. Let me know what you think.
For more ticket information, call the box office at 706-256-3612.
These dates are in order, not by series:
The Golden Dragon Acrobats: 7 p.m. Sept. 7. Bill Heard Theatre. All children's tickets are $5; adult tickets are $10-$22.
The Four Tops: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Bill Heard Theatre. $29.50, $39.50, $42.50.
Masked Marvels and Wondertales: Presented by Michael Cooper, 7 p.m. Oct. 2. Bill Heard Theatre. All children's tickets are $5; adult tickets are $8-$15.
George Carlin: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Bill Heard Theatre. $29.50, $39.50, $49.50.
Up Close and Personal: Clint Black. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Bill Heard Theatre. $44, $48, $52.
Pilobolus Dance Co.: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Bill Heard Theatre. $22.50, $27.50, $32.50.
Edgar Meyer, Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27. Bill Heard Theatre. $26, $33, $39.
3 Mo' Divas: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8. Bill Heard Theatre. $39, $45, $49.
Trinity Irish Dance Academy: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30. Bill Heard Theatre. $19, $25, $29.
Cantus Christmas 2007: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Legacy Hall. $32.
Tosca: Presented by the Teatro Lirico d'Europa, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $28, $32, $42.
Imani Winds: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9, 2008. Legacy Hall. $36.
Anne Murray: 7:30 p.m. March 11, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $37, $43, $49.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Presented by the Montana Repertory Theatre, 7:30 p.m. March 13, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $19, $29, $32.
The Cleveland Orchestra: 4 p.m. March 30, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $55, $65, $75.
A Year With Frog and Toad: 7 p.m. April 15, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. All children's tickets are $5; adult tickets are $8, $15, $17.
Woven Harmony: With Robert and Rebecca Bluestone, 7:30 p.m. April 25, 2008. Legacy Hall. $32.
Giselle: Presented by the St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre, 7:30 p.m. April 29, 2008. Bill Heard Theatre. $10, $25, $39.
It looks like another great year for the RiverCenter. Let me know what you think.
For more ticket information, call the box office at 706-256-3612.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Chris "The Trash Guy" Elwood
I still haven't been able to talk to Chris about his involvement in "Flipping Out," a new reality show on Bravo TV.
I did, however, go on the Web site and some of the things on it are hilarious. You ought to check it out.
I had lunch with my friends Bill Rich and Cameron Faucette Friday. Cameron is a designer and she's obsessed with watching shows like "Flipping Out."
She said she didn't realize that Chris was on the show. I guess she didn't read the L-E Web site where I put that he was on. If I could only get my friends to read!
The show is great. The guy who actually does the house flipping, Jeff Lewis, is a maniac. He's insane.
Watch the show and tell me what you think. It's on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. on Bravo.
(Chris is a 1993 graduate of Pacelli High School, and has appeared in a movie called "How High" and was on a season of "Punk'd" a few years ago.)
I did, however, go on the Web site and some of the things on it are hilarious. You ought to check it out.
I had lunch with my friends Bill Rich and Cameron Faucette Friday. Cameron is a designer and she's obsessed with watching shows like "Flipping Out."
She said she didn't realize that Chris was on the show. I guess she didn't read the L-E Web site where I put that he was on. If I could only get my friends to read!
The show is great. The guy who actually does the house flipping, Jeff Lewis, is a maniac. He's insane.
Watch the show and tell me what you think. It's on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. on Bravo.
(Chris is a 1993 graduate of Pacelli High School, and has appeared in a movie called "How High" and was on a season of "Punk'd" a few years ago.)
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Good going, Troy!
My good friend Troy Heard is in Hollywood, Calif., directing a show.
What show?
Well, one that he probably won't be able to produce in Columbus.
It's "Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical."
I told him that he could.
After all, there's no nudity. OK, there's a flash, but it's not a porn movie. It's just based on one.
And where there would be sex scenes, there are big song-and-dance production numbers.
It actually sounds like a lot of fun.
It opens tonight at the Key Club. One the guest list are Fred Armisen of "Saturday Night Live," Adam Rifkin who wrote and directed "Detroit Rock City," Daniel Waters who wrote "Heathers" and a new movie called "Sex and Death 101" and Josh Olson, who was nominated for an Academy Award for writing the script of "A History of Violence."
Believe it or not, it's the Los Angeles premiere! And a local boy is directing.
I'm sure I'll get an e-mail in the morning from him. I'll keep you posted on the reviews.
What show?
Well, one that he probably won't be able to produce in Columbus.
It's "Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical."
I told him that he could.
After all, there's no nudity. OK, there's a flash, but it's not a porn movie. It's just based on one.
And where there would be sex scenes, there are big song-and-dance production numbers.
It actually sounds like a lot of fun.
It opens tonight at the Key Club. One the guest list are Fred Armisen of "Saturday Night Live," Adam Rifkin who wrote and directed "Detroit Rock City," Daniel Waters who wrote "Heathers" and a new movie called "Sex and Death 101" and Josh Olson, who was nominated for an Academy Award for writing the script of "A History of Violence."
Believe it or not, it's the Los Angeles premiere! And a local boy is directing.
I'm sure I'll get an e-mail in the morning from him. I'll keep you posted on the reviews.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Mommy update
My mother is out of the hospital in what I think is record time -- two nights in ICU and five nights in the hospital!
She looks fantastic and is ready to go on with her life.
She's staying with my brother, Fred, for a few weeks. He has a walk-in shower. That's important because she really can't step into a tub right now.
And he's got a big-screen TV she can sit and watch all day.
We're really happy -- and relieved -- that she came through the quadruple bypass so well. We can't say enough about Dr. Jeffrey Travis, who did the surgery. He's really the best. And the staff at St. Francis was outstanding, especially Marie and John in ICU. They were really wonderful.
I want to thank all of the people who either came by, sent notes and delivered flowers to our sweet, precious mother.
We appreciate that more than you'll ever know.
Thank you!
She looks fantastic and is ready to go on with her life.
She's staying with my brother, Fred, for a few weeks. He has a walk-in shower. That's important because she really can't step into a tub right now.
And he's got a big-screen TV she can sit and watch all day.
We're really happy -- and relieved -- that she came through the quadruple bypass so well. We can't say enough about Dr. Jeffrey Travis, who did the surgery. He's really the best. And the staff at St. Francis was outstanding, especially Marie and John in ICU. They were really wonderful.
I want to thank all of the people who either came by, sent notes and delivered flowers to our sweet, precious mother.
We appreciate that more than you'll ever know.
Thank you!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Woo hoo!
My mother has been moved from ICU into a room at St. Francis Hospital.
It's amazing how quickly she's getting better.
Tuesday, when she came out of surgery, it was really scary. Her face was all swollen and her eyes were shut tight. We had a little scare Tuesday afternoon when her blood pressure dropped for no reason. But in a little while, she was back up to normal levels. We still don't know what happened.
Yesterday, the ventilator was removed and she could talk a little bit.
Today, she looks almost normal. Like I said, it's amazing how quickly she's recovering.
I have to thank all my friends for their love and support. I think we're still going to need all your prayers because she still has a long way to go.
But she's on her way to recovery. Before we know it, it will be December and we'll be on our way to Japan for a long-awaited visit.
Again, thank you for your prayers, phone calls and visits.
It's amazing how quickly she's getting better.
Tuesday, when she came out of surgery, it was really scary. Her face was all swollen and her eyes were shut tight. We had a little scare Tuesday afternoon when her blood pressure dropped for no reason. But in a little while, she was back up to normal levels. We still don't know what happened.
Yesterday, the ventilator was removed and she could talk a little bit.
Today, she looks almost normal. Like I said, it's amazing how quickly she's recovering.
I have to thank all my friends for their love and support. I think we're still going to need all your prayers because she still has a long way to go.
But she's on her way to recovery. Before we know it, it will be December and we'll be on our way to Japan for a long-awaited visit.
Again, thank you for your prayers, phone calls and visits.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Harry Potter
By the way, I finished "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" around 5 a.m. Sunday.
I picked up my book at Books-a-Million Friday night/Saturday morning with about 250 other fans.
When I got home, I started reading, but quickly got tired and had to put it down.
Saturday night, around 11:30 a.m., I picked up the book again and I couldn't let it go.
It's really, really good.
Alek Ansley, who owns Judy Bug's Books downtown, was right about one thing. I won't say what because many of you are still reading. I was skeptical, but he was correct.
The list of the dead adds up and it's heartbreaking. I know it sounds like I know these people. In a sense, I do. I've been reading about them for 10 years.
J.K. Rowling ends the book on an upbeat, though. It'll make you smile.
Let me know what you think of the book.
I picked up my book at Books-a-Million Friday night/Saturday morning with about 250 other fans.
When I got home, I started reading, but quickly got tired and had to put it down.
Saturday night, around 11:30 a.m., I picked up the book again and I couldn't let it go.
It's really, really good.
Alek Ansley, who owns Judy Bug's Books downtown, was right about one thing. I won't say what because many of you are still reading. I was skeptical, but he was correct.
The list of the dead adds up and it's heartbreaking. I know it sounds like I know these people. In a sense, I do. I've been reading about them for 10 years.
J.K. Rowling ends the book on an upbeat, though. It'll make you smile.
Let me know what you think of the book.
Quadruple Bypass Surgery
I've learned more about cardiac surgery in the last week than I thought I'd ever want to know.
And by tomorrow, I'll know even more.
My mother's scheduled for her surgery tomorrow morning and her doctor told us he should be done by noon.
A friend of mine, Karen Spears Zacharias, e-mailed me and said that my mother is in better shape than Richard Hyatt and he came through OK. I told Richard that, and even he had to agree.
It seems everyone I've talked to knows someone -- either a family member or good friend -- who has had cardiac surgery. And they've all had some advice that I've passed on to my family. Well, some of it.
If I learn any practical information that I can share, I'll do that Wednesday.
Wish us luck!
And by tomorrow, I'll know even more.
My mother's scheduled for her surgery tomorrow morning and her doctor told us he should be done by noon.
A friend of mine, Karen Spears Zacharias, e-mailed me and said that my mother is in better shape than Richard Hyatt and he came through OK. I told Richard that, and even he had to agree.
It seems everyone I've talked to knows someone -- either a family member or good friend -- who has had cardiac surgery. And they've all had some advice that I've passed on to my family. Well, some of it.
If I learn any practical information that I can share, I'll do that Wednesday.
Wish us luck!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
More health news
When my mother went in for a routine stress test last week, her doctor found what he called an "abnormality."
He sent her to a cardiologist and he did a heart catheritization on Tuesday.
I took Tuesday and Wednesday off. I knew that Tuesday would be spent in St. Francis, sitting around and waiting. I took Wednesday off just in case she needed some help at home.
We got to the hospital around 6:15 a .m. Tuesday and spent the whole time waiting. First, for her turn in the cath unit. My friend Geri Davis was kind enough to come and entertain us for a while. She brought her sketchbook from her recent trip to Italy, along with some photos.
Geri left as they were taking our mother to the cath unit.
Then we waited to for her to come out of there.
It took just a short time.
They took her to recovery, and asked us to wait. By us, it was me and my sisters, Nancy, Dorothy and Patty. Dr. Samir Mewar came out and told us the bad news. Our mother had numerous blockages that ranged from 80-95 percent.
He recommended Dr. Jeffrey Travis.
We went to the outpatient wing and stayed with her while she slept and ate and got her vital signs taken.
Dorothy, Patty and I walked over to the A&W/Kentucky Fried Chicken place for lunch. Nancy decided to stay with our mother, just in case Dr. Travis came.
Our brother, Fred, who said 6:30 a.m. was too early for him, joined us for lunch.
About an hour later, Fred and Patty left to go shopping for some things at Lowe's.
Finally, around 4:30 p.m. Dr. Travis came and explained what her options were, and made an appointment to see him Wednesday morning.
We got her home, just as Fred and Cheryl's daughter, Jessica, got there. Cheryl had been at our house, painting the bathroom.
Our mother was fine. Just a little sore, but OK.
Wednesday morning was another early one, this time all of us went to Dr. Travis' office, because Patty and Fred weren't there when he came to talk to us on Tuesday.
He went over everything, and she's going to have a quadruple bypass next Tuesday.
We went to the breafast buffet at Shoney's. We were joking that it will probably be the last time we'll be able to eat sausage and bacon and eggs in a long time.
Then we went to visit one of her friends, Kazue Yonekawa, who had lunch ready for us. Mrs. Yonekawa and her husband, Masafusa, own Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, and she's a wonderful cook. Even though we were stuffed, we ate some more.
After all, that's what the Okamoto family does best -- eat.
So now, we're just waiting for Tuesday's surgery. We'll probably go to Atlanta this weekend to shop.
Fred says she'll rehab at his house. He's got a walk-in shower downstairs, complete with rails and a shower seat. And she can watch TV on his big screen, which she'll love.
Everyone I know says this surgery is so much easier than it was years ago. And the alternative is not an option. Dr. Travis said without the bypass, she has a 50/50 chance of having a heart attack or stroke. And none of us want that, of course.
So please wish us well!
He sent her to a cardiologist and he did a heart catheritization on Tuesday.
I took Tuesday and Wednesday off. I knew that Tuesday would be spent in St. Francis, sitting around and waiting. I took Wednesday off just in case she needed some help at home.
We got to the hospital around 6:15 a .m. Tuesday and spent the whole time waiting. First, for her turn in the cath unit. My friend Geri Davis was kind enough to come and entertain us for a while. She brought her sketchbook from her recent trip to Italy, along with some photos.
Geri left as they were taking our mother to the cath unit.
Then we waited to for her to come out of there.
It took just a short time.
They took her to recovery, and asked us to wait. By us, it was me and my sisters, Nancy, Dorothy and Patty. Dr. Samir Mewar came out and told us the bad news. Our mother had numerous blockages that ranged from 80-95 percent.
He recommended Dr. Jeffrey Travis.
We went to the outpatient wing and stayed with her while she slept and ate and got her vital signs taken.
Dorothy, Patty and I walked over to the A&W/Kentucky Fried Chicken place for lunch. Nancy decided to stay with our mother, just in case Dr. Travis came.
Our brother, Fred, who said 6:30 a.m. was too early for him, joined us for lunch.
About an hour later, Fred and Patty left to go shopping for some things at Lowe's.
Finally, around 4:30 p.m. Dr. Travis came and explained what her options were, and made an appointment to see him Wednesday morning.
We got her home, just as Fred and Cheryl's daughter, Jessica, got there. Cheryl had been at our house, painting the bathroom.
Our mother was fine. Just a little sore, but OK.
Wednesday morning was another early one, this time all of us went to Dr. Travis' office, because Patty and Fred weren't there when he came to talk to us on Tuesday.
He went over everything, and she's going to have a quadruple bypass next Tuesday.
We went to the breafast buffet at Shoney's. We were joking that it will probably be the last time we'll be able to eat sausage and bacon and eggs in a long time.
Then we went to visit one of her friends, Kazue Yonekawa, who had lunch ready for us. Mrs. Yonekawa and her husband, Masafusa, own Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, and she's a wonderful cook. Even though we were stuffed, we ate some more.
After all, that's what the Okamoto family does best -- eat.
So now, we're just waiting for Tuesday's surgery. We'll probably go to Atlanta this weekend to shop.
Fred says she'll rehab at his house. He's got a walk-in shower downstairs, complete with rails and a shower seat. And she can watch TV on his big screen, which she'll love.
Everyone I know says this surgery is so much easier than it was years ago. And the alternative is not an option. Dr. Travis said without the bypass, she has a 50/50 chance of having a heart attack or stroke. And none of us want that, of course.
So please wish us well!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Your health
Last week, I watched a touching tribute to Joel Siegel, the movie critic for ABC's "Good Morning America."
From everything I read, he regretted not having a colonoscopy when he turned 50. By the time he had one, he was 53, and he had colo-rectal cancer.
Like Siegel, I waited to have one done until I was 53. That was last summer just before I turned 54.
Fortunately, everything was fine.
I wrote about my experience for our old health tabloid called Thrive.
We were supposed to have a photographer come with me and photograph everything, but something got messed up. So there are no photos. And I guess I should be glad. I'm sure I wasn't at my best that morning.
For those of you about to turn 50 this year, go and have the procedure done. It's really no big deal.
Wait. There is just a little yucky part and that's the preparation. For 24 hours before the procedure, you can't eat anything and you've got to take some truly vile stuff that cleans out your system. I mean clean out.
I can't describe what that stuff tastes like. At first, I thought it wasn't bad. But by the time I was at the bottom of the gallon bottle, I was standing at the kitchen sink just looking at it. I really couldn't drink another drop. I did.
You'll spend a lot of time in the bathroom -- and it's not putting on makeup.
Other than that, it's very, very easy.
Colo-rectal cancer is probably the one type of cancer that is completely avoidable. But only if you get tested when you're 50. And earlier if there's a family history.
After writing that story last summer, several people came up to me to thank me.
Dianne Osborne, a local artist, told me she clipped the story and hands it to friends who have put off the procedure. She even made her husband read it.
A couple of my colleagues, who are older than I am, have had it done in the past year.
It's a subject people want to avoid, but I tell everyone I know whom I know is about turn 50 to get it done.
You won't be sorry.
Really.
From everything I read, he regretted not having a colonoscopy when he turned 50. By the time he had one, he was 53, and he had colo-rectal cancer.
Like Siegel, I waited to have one done until I was 53. That was last summer just before I turned 54.
Fortunately, everything was fine.
I wrote about my experience for our old health tabloid called Thrive.
We were supposed to have a photographer come with me and photograph everything, but something got messed up. So there are no photos. And I guess I should be glad. I'm sure I wasn't at my best that morning.
For those of you about to turn 50 this year, go and have the procedure done. It's really no big deal.
Wait. There is just a little yucky part and that's the preparation. For 24 hours before the procedure, you can't eat anything and you've got to take some truly vile stuff that cleans out your system. I mean clean out.
I can't describe what that stuff tastes like. At first, I thought it wasn't bad. But by the time I was at the bottom of the gallon bottle, I was standing at the kitchen sink just looking at it. I really couldn't drink another drop. I did.
You'll spend a lot of time in the bathroom -- and it's not putting on makeup.
Other than that, it's very, very easy.
Colo-rectal cancer is probably the one type of cancer that is completely avoidable. But only if you get tested when you're 50. And earlier if there's a family history.
After writing that story last summer, several people came up to me to thank me.
Dianne Osborne, a local artist, told me she clipped the story and hands it to friends who have put off the procedure. She even made her husband read it.
A couple of my colleagues, who are older than I am, have had it done in the past year.
It's a subject people want to avoid, but I tell everyone I know whom I know is about turn 50 to get it done.
You won't be sorry.
Really.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Harry Potter
OK, I saw the movie last night in a sold-out theater.
I went with my mother, two sisters, my brother, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law and one niece.
My niece, Jessica, gave it two thumbs down. She said it was the worst of all the Potter movies.
My brother, Fred, who has never read any of the books, but who has seen all of the movies, didn't understand a lot of it.
The rest of us liked it.
This is the darkest of the movies so far, but that's because the book is, too.
Harry feels isolated from everyone, but he learns at the end that friendships really matter. And he knows who his real friends are.
I've read reviews that say the magic is gone. Those reviewers are crazy.
Every show last night was sold out. There was applause throughout the movie from a very enthusiastic audience. Applause at a movie!
Before going into the theater, I saw a group of Springer Opera House kids. Izzy Brown asked if I had my ticket. I said I did. They didn't and had to buy tickets for tonight.
So this first weekend, I'd recommend that you head out to Hollywood Connection's Ritz 10 and buy tickets in advance. Otherwise, you may be disappointed like Izzy and her friends.
Do I recommend the movie?
Of course!
Tell me what you thought of the movie.
I went with my mother, two sisters, my brother, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law and one niece.
My niece, Jessica, gave it two thumbs down. She said it was the worst of all the Potter movies.
My brother, Fred, who has never read any of the books, but who has seen all of the movies, didn't understand a lot of it.
The rest of us liked it.
This is the darkest of the movies so far, but that's because the book is, too.
Harry feels isolated from everyone, but he learns at the end that friendships really matter. And he knows who his real friends are.
I've read reviews that say the magic is gone. Those reviewers are crazy.
Every show last night was sold out. There was applause throughout the movie from a very enthusiastic audience. Applause at a movie!
Before going into the theater, I saw a group of Springer Opera House kids. Izzy Brown asked if I had my ticket. I said I did. They didn't and had to buy tickets for tonight.
So this first weekend, I'd recommend that you head out to Hollywood Connection's Ritz 10 and buy tickets in advance. Otherwise, you may be disappointed like Izzy and her friends.
Do I recommend the movie?
Of course!
Tell me what you thought of the movie.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The new Harry Potter movie
I know I said in last week's To Do that we were going to the midnight movie this morning.
Well, we messed up and didn't buy the tickets in advance and the show sold-out.
So my youngest sister, Patty, went and bought tickets for the 6:30 p.m. show tonight.
I'll let you know what I thought of the movie tomorrow.
I'm such a big fan of the books and have been pretty happy with the movie versions so far. So I can't wait to see it.
And I really can't wait to get my little hands on the seventh and final book next week. I bought my copy months ago.
Yes, I am a Harry geek. It's so sad. Someone my age ...
Well, we messed up and didn't buy the tickets in advance and the show sold-out.
So my youngest sister, Patty, went and bought tickets for the 6:30 p.m. show tonight.
I'll let you know what I thought of the movie tomorrow.
I'm such a big fan of the books and have been pretty happy with the movie versions so far. So I can't wait to see it.
And I really can't wait to get my little hands on the seventh and final book next week. I bought my copy months ago.
Yes, I am a Harry geek. It's so sad. Someone my age ...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Self-Help
I just came back to the newsroom from the Studio Theatre in the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. I was invited to what was a dress rehearsal for a show called "Self-Help: The Comedy."
It starts Thursday, and it's written by two comedians, Debbie Kasper and Sheila Kay, who also star in the show.
It's done without an intermission and runs about two hours, but it really, really doesn't seem like a two-hour show. And you'll laugh and laugh and laugh some more.
There's a lot of audience participation.
And if you go, don't sit in the first two rows. That's unless you want to be the center of attention. You'll be picked on by the two women.
Darlene Hughes Kittrell, who's the marketing director for the RiverCenter, was sitting right up front for some reason that I'm sure she's regretting. Right after the show, she was still laughing and she said she was sweating. I know she's used to being in the spotlight because she was an anchor at WRBL-TV 3 for many years. And I first met her when she was in "42nd Street." I was background scenery, but she was the star.
Maureen Gottfried was another singled out. I'm hoping to get photos of her on stage, being coached by Zelda Bing, the self-proclaimed love goddess.
When I interviewed Debbie Kasper for a story in this week's To Do, she said that a lot of people compare it to "Greater Tuna." There aren't as many costume changes or characters, but the two actors do a really good job.
So what's the show about?
It's a parody of self-help seminars that were so popular a couple of years ago. The press material says it's about "women's rights and men's wrongs."
But it's more than that. It discusses body image, self-esteem and relationships between men and women -- all in fun.
It really is hilarious.
The dates are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. And again, 7:30 p.m. July 19-20 and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. July 21. The 10 p.m. shows are for adults only. Actually, the 7:30 p.m. shows are not for kids, either.
Tickets are $29. If you have a valid college ID, tickets are $10 in the box office, starting at 7 p.m. on show nights.
Get a group of girlfriends together and go. You'll really have a great time. Several women dragged their husbands and I saw them laughing, too.
So it's not just for women. Take your monkey boys.
It starts Thursday, and it's written by two comedians, Debbie Kasper and Sheila Kay, who also star in the show.
It's done without an intermission and runs about two hours, but it really, really doesn't seem like a two-hour show. And you'll laugh and laugh and laugh some more.
There's a lot of audience participation.
And if you go, don't sit in the first two rows. That's unless you want to be the center of attention. You'll be picked on by the two women.
Darlene Hughes Kittrell, who's the marketing director for the RiverCenter, was sitting right up front for some reason that I'm sure she's regretting. Right after the show, she was still laughing and she said she was sweating. I know she's used to being in the spotlight because she was an anchor at WRBL-TV 3 for many years. And I first met her when she was in "42nd Street." I was background scenery, but she was the star.
Maureen Gottfried was another singled out. I'm hoping to get photos of her on stage, being coached by Zelda Bing, the self-proclaimed love goddess.
When I interviewed Debbie Kasper for a story in this week's To Do, she said that a lot of people compare it to "Greater Tuna." There aren't as many costume changes or characters, but the two actors do a really good job.
So what's the show about?
It's a parody of self-help seminars that were so popular a couple of years ago. The press material says it's about "women's rights and men's wrongs."
But it's more than that. It discusses body image, self-esteem and relationships between men and women -- all in fun.
It really is hilarious.
The dates are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. And again, 7:30 p.m. July 19-20 and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. July 21. The 10 p.m. shows are for adults only. Actually, the 7:30 p.m. shows are not for kids, either.
Tickets are $29. If you have a valid college ID, tickets are $10 in the box office, starting at 7 p.m. on show nights.
Get a group of girlfriends together and go. You'll really have a great time. Several women dragged their husbands and I saw them laughing, too.
So it's not just for women. Take your monkey boys.
Monday, July 9, 2007
It's a small world after all
You know when someone says, "It's a small world."
It sounds like such a cliche. That is, until you think about it.
How many times do you run into someone you know in an unexpected place?
I was at Epcot in Orlando, standing in line for some ride, when I saw someone I knew from Columbus. Another time, I was in Philadelphia, leaving the hotel to walk to the museum when I bumped into Janice Biggers. We said at the same time, "What are you doing here?"
Last week, my niece, Jessica, asked if I'd met the new reporter at WTVM 9. I said I haven't covered local media in years, so I told her I had not.
Jess said, "She's from back home." To Jessica, Columbus is not yet home. She was born in Hollywood, Fla., and grew up in the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood suburb of Cooper City. So even though her parents no longer live there, it's still home to her.
Anyway, Laurie Bernstein, the newest member of the News Leader team, is from Cooper City. She graduated from Cooper City High School with my nephew, Scott. And Laurie and Jess played soccer at CCHS. When Jess was a freshman, she was one of two freshmen to make the varsity soccer team. Laurie was a junior then. So they played on the same team for two years.
Laurie went to American University in Washington, D.C., so it's been four years since the two girls saw each other.
I went on the WTVM Web site and e-mailed Laurie, inviting her to our Fourth of July cookout. She had to work the station's Thunder on the Hooch event, so it wasn't until after 7 p.m. before she came to Fred and Cheryl's house.
They chatted for quite a while and we all had a great time.
I'm glad Laurie got to see a familiar face and got to hang out with us. She said she got a little homesick when her family called her earlier in the day.
And it really is a small world, after all, isn't it?
It sounds like such a cliche. That is, until you think about it.
How many times do you run into someone you know in an unexpected place?
I was at Epcot in Orlando, standing in line for some ride, when I saw someone I knew from Columbus. Another time, I was in Philadelphia, leaving the hotel to walk to the museum when I bumped into Janice Biggers. We said at the same time, "What are you doing here?"
Last week, my niece, Jessica, asked if I'd met the new reporter at WTVM 9. I said I haven't covered local media in years, so I told her I had not.
Jess said, "She's from back home." To Jessica, Columbus is not yet home. She was born in Hollywood, Fla., and grew up in the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood suburb of Cooper City. So even though her parents no longer live there, it's still home to her.
Anyway, Laurie Bernstein, the newest member of the News Leader team, is from Cooper City. She graduated from Cooper City High School with my nephew, Scott. And Laurie and Jess played soccer at CCHS. When Jess was a freshman, she was one of two freshmen to make the varsity soccer team. Laurie was a junior then. So they played on the same team for two years.
Laurie went to American University in Washington, D.C., so it's been four years since the two girls saw each other.
I went on the WTVM Web site and e-mailed Laurie, inviting her to our Fourth of July cookout. She had to work the station's Thunder on the Hooch event, so it wasn't until after 7 p.m. before she came to Fred and Cheryl's house.
They chatted for quite a while and we all had a great time.
I'm glad Laurie got to see a familiar face and got to hang out with us. She said she got a little homesick when her family called her earlier in the day.
And it really is a small world, after all, isn't it?
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The Fourth of July
It was the best Fourth of July we've had in a long time. Everyone, except for Scott, who's in the Air Force and stationed in England, was in town. We even had our great-niece and great-nephew with us.
A family friend, Kazue Yonekawa, who owns Tokyo Restaurant with her husband, came. So did my friend V.J. Roberts and her daughter, Jessica. Oz was in Dallas judging the Miss Teen Texas pageant.
Fred grilled. Everyone brought food.
And we ate and ate until we were all lying around stuffed.
My diet begins Monday. For real.
Everything was wonderful until the fireworks display.
Fred lives in a housing development way out Macon Road. It's probably as far as you go and still be in Muscogee County.
Every year, they have a big Fourth of July picnic and fireworks.
I had taken our mother home so we weren't there when it happened. I had to let the dogs out of the house where they'd been since about 2 p.m.
Fred and Patty and her husband stayed at the house.
Everyone else headed for the fireworks.
Cheryl put comforters on the ground so they could sit and watch.
Jessica was lying on her back when she got hit by debris. And then Adam was hit.
Jess was very, very lucky. Patty said the debris was rock-hard and about the size of a ping pong ball.
Jess got hit on her cheekbone right below her left eye. She was lucky that it didn't hit her eye.
Adam is one of Cheryl's brother's twins. He got hit on his leg.
They didn't stay for the rest of the show.
I haven't seen Jess, but Patty said she didn't quit crying until they put her to bed. And this is a child who never cries.
So I guess even if you're not playing with fireworks, you can get hurt. I'm also guessing they let people too close to where they were being launched.
I'm sure that next year, my family will be farther away. Like maybe at home!
A family friend, Kazue Yonekawa, who owns Tokyo Restaurant with her husband, came. So did my friend V.J. Roberts and her daughter, Jessica. Oz was in Dallas judging the Miss Teen Texas pageant.
Fred grilled. Everyone brought food.
And we ate and ate until we were all lying around stuffed.
My diet begins Monday. For real.
Everything was wonderful until the fireworks display.
Fred lives in a housing development way out Macon Road. It's probably as far as you go and still be in Muscogee County.
Every year, they have a big Fourth of July picnic and fireworks.
I had taken our mother home so we weren't there when it happened. I had to let the dogs out of the house where they'd been since about 2 p.m.
Fred and Patty and her husband stayed at the house.
Everyone else headed for the fireworks.
Cheryl put comforters on the ground so they could sit and watch.
Jessica was lying on her back when she got hit by debris. And then Adam was hit.
Jess was very, very lucky. Patty said the debris was rock-hard and about the size of a ping pong ball.
Jess got hit on her cheekbone right below her left eye. She was lucky that it didn't hit her eye.
Adam is one of Cheryl's brother's twins. He got hit on his leg.
They didn't stay for the rest of the show.
I haven't seen Jess, but Patty said she didn't quit crying until they put her to bed. And this is a child who never cries.
So I guess even if you're not playing with fireworks, you can get hurt. I'm also guessing they let people too close to where they were being launched.
I'm sure that next year, my family will be farther away. Like maybe at home!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The Food Network
If the television is on, I'm watching the Food Network, Animal Planet, TLC, the Travel Channel or HGTV.
That means the traditional network offerings are not what I want to watch. Although I do watch things like "Dancing With the Stars" and "So YouThink You Can Dance?" I watch those shows because I really think I can dance. But ask my dance teachers and they'll just laugh.
I really do like to watch the Food Network. My favorite chef is Tyler Florence for the obvious reason, but his recipes look pretty good, too.
So I was amused to find out that there's a little controversy going on about Giada De Laurentiis' attire on her shows.
Apparently, TV Guide had a little blurb in the June 11 issue in the "Cheers & Jeers: Readers' Edition." A reader named Deborah L. Deel of Christiansburg, Va., wrote: "She must be sooooooo proud of her breasts. Who is she trying to turn on -- the cameraman? It's really kind of sad and pathetic."
I like Giada, and I never really noticed what she was wearing. What annoys me about her is that fakey smile.
TV Guide got tons of mail about Deel's comments and the June 25 issue has a whole page of comments pro and con about Giada's clothing.
The funniest one came from Rob Melcore of Manassas, Va. "I love to watch her stir those ingredients in her low-cut tops. If Ms. Deel wants sexless cooking, she should watch Rachael Ray."
Woo hoo!
I really don't like Rachael Ray. Talk about annoying.
And I know several people who have had to deal with her and they call her a name that rhymes with "witch."
All three of those people say she treats her staff like dirt and she turns on that smile when the camera is turned on. As soon as filming is done, she's berating the staff and cursing at them.
Not a nice woman.
The June 30 issue is on the stands until the Fourth of July, so if you want to read more, pick one up at the grocery store.
That means the traditional network offerings are not what I want to watch. Although I do watch things like "Dancing With the Stars" and "So YouThink You Can Dance?" I watch those shows because I really think I can dance. But ask my dance teachers and they'll just laugh.
I really do like to watch the Food Network. My favorite chef is Tyler Florence for the obvious reason, but his recipes look pretty good, too.
So I was amused to find out that there's a little controversy going on about Giada De Laurentiis' attire on her shows.
Apparently, TV Guide had a little blurb in the June 11 issue in the "Cheers & Jeers: Readers' Edition." A reader named Deborah L. Deel of Christiansburg, Va., wrote: "She must be sooooooo proud of her breasts. Who is she trying to turn on -- the cameraman? It's really kind of sad and pathetic."
I like Giada, and I never really noticed what she was wearing. What annoys me about her is that fakey smile.
TV Guide got tons of mail about Deel's comments and the June 25 issue has a whole page of comments pro and con about Giada's clothing.
The funniest one came from Rob Melcore of Manassas, Va. "I love to watch her stir those ingredients in her low-cut tops. If Ms. Deel wants sexless cooking, she should watch Rachael Ray."
Woo hoo!
I really don't like Rachael Ray. Talk about annoying.
And I know several people who have had to deal with her and they call her a name that rhymes with "witch."
All three of those people say she treats her staff like dirt and she turns on that smile when the camera is turned on. As soon as filming is done, she's berating the staff and cursing at them.
Not a nice woman.
The June 30 issue is on the stands until the Fourth of July, so if you want to read more, pick one up at the grocery store.
Friday, June 29, 2007
The Springer Theater Academy
I just watched the end-of-the-session performance at the Springer Theater Academy.
No, I don't have any kids in the program. I do know a bunch of the teachers and a couple of the students.
It's one of those family things. My sister-in-law has a brother, whose son, Aaron, was one of the students. Aaron's mother, Dena, made it clear that she expected us to be there.
And you don't want to get on Dena's bad side. I think that's what makes her such a great teacher. She's a wonderful woman with a great sense of humor. But if you get her riled, watch out. All the kids in her class probably don't want to rile her. Smart kids.
About 30 minutes in the show, my brother was beginning to snore. I nudged him and asked if he was sure Aaron was in the class.
Fred said he was in the two-week session.
So?
But just then, Aaron made his appearance. Apparently, the older kids in this particular session were going last. Then they mixed up the classes again.
Anyway, the performance was great. I did learn, however, that poor Aaron has no sense of rhythm. I was watching him!
He looked like he was having a great time.
After the show, I spoke to several of the teachers whom I haven't seen in a while. Folks like Rearcous Smith, Aileen Fowler and Tafee Patterson. Dave Holland left the stage before I could say hello.
Ron Anderson, the director of the academy, says the older, most experienced kids can be seen in "Lilly's Plastic Purple Purse," which opens July 13 for two weekends. Check that one out if you want to see some talented kids.
No, I don't have any kids in the program. I do know a bunch of the teachers and a couple of the students.
It's one of those family things. My sister-in-law has a brother, whose son, Aaron, was one of the students. Aaron's mother, Dena, made it clear that she expected us to be there.
And you don't want to get on Dena's bad side. I think that's what makes her such a great teacher. She's a wonderful woman with a great sense of humor. But if you get her riled, watch out. All the kids in her class probably don't want to rile her. Smart kids.
About 30 minutes in the show, my brother was beginning to snore. I nudged him and asked if he was sure Aaron was in the class.
Fred said he was in the two-week session.
So?
But just then, Aaron made his appearance. Apparently, the older kids in this particular session were going last. Then they mixed up the classes again.
Anyway, the performance was great. I did learn, however, that poor Aaron has no sense of rhythm. I was watching him!
He looked like he was having a great time.
After the show, I spoke to several of the teachers whom I haven't seen in a while. Folks like Rearcous Smith, Aileen Fowler and Tafee Patterson. Dave Holland left the stage before I could say hello.
Ron Anderson, the director of the academy, says the older, most experienced kids can be seen in "Lilly's Plastic Purple Purse," which opens July 13 for two weekends. Check that one out if you want to see some talented kids.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The Arts Association of East Alabama
What? The Arts Association of East Alabama?
A new arts organization?
Nope. It's the Opelika Arts Association. Executive director Phillip Preston and the board decided to change the name to "more accurately reflect its membership and area coverage."
He sent me a brochure for the 2007-08 season and it's going to be another good one.
Oct. 9: Jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli.
Nov. 5: The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez.
Dec. 11: "Gypsy," the musical about the life of Gypsy Rose Lee.
Jan. 24: The State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico directed by Enrique Batiz with featured soloist violinist Joan Kwuon.
Feb. 6: "The Producers," the very funny musical based on the Mel Brooks movie of the same name.
April 3: Neil Berg's "100 Years of Broadway."
April 23: "An Evening With Garrison Keillor."
The season extra is the African Children's Choir on Feb. 1.
All shows are at 8:30 p.m. Eeastern time in the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts in the Opelika High School, 1700 Lafayette Parkway.
If you take advantage of the early bird special, you can buy season tickets for $120-$165 until July 27. After July 27, season tickets are $153-$198.
The African Children's Choir tickets are $15-$25.
Single tickets are $23-$35. Orders are being taken now, and will be processed after the season ticket holders get their seats. Otherwise, they go on sale Sept. 15.
If you have any questions, call 334-749-8105 or go to www.eastalabamaarts.org
A new arts organization?
Nope. It's the Opelika Arts Association. Executive director Phillip Preston and the board decided to change the name to "more accurately reflect its membership and area coverage."
He sent me a brochure for the 2007-08 season and it's going to be another good one.
Oct. 9: Jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli.
Nov. 5: The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez.
Dec. 11: "Gypsy," the musical about the life of Gypsy Rose Lee.
Jan. 24: The State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico directed by Enrique Batiz with featured soloist violinist Joan Kwuon.
Feb. 6: "The Producers," the very funny musical based on the Mel Brooks movie of the same name.
April 3: Neil Berg's "100 Years of Broadway."
April 23: "An Evening With Garrison Keillor."
The season extra is the African Children's Choir on Feb. 1.
All shows are at 8:30 p.m. Eeastern time in the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts in the Opelika High School, 1700 Lafayette Parkway.
If you take advantage of the early bird special, you can buy season tickets for $120-$165 until July 27. After July 27, season tickets are $153-$198.
The African Children's Choir tickets are $15-$25.
Single tickets are $23-$35. Orders are being taken now, and will be processed after the season ticket holders get their seats. Otherwise, they go on sale Sept. 15.
If you have any questions, call 334-749-8105 or go to www.eastalabamaarts.org
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The new RiverCenter season
If you didn't see it in our newspaper last week, the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts announced the ticketing information for the Broadway in Columbus series.
And, another show was added. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. in the Bill Heard Theatre.
The season:
Nov. 5-6: "Hairspray." The Tony Award-winning musical is based on the John Waters movie. It's set in 1962 Baltimore where a young girl named Tracy Turnblad is determined to become a dancer on a popular local television show.
Nov. 26-27: "Cats." One of the longest-running shows on Broadway, "Cats" is based on a poem by T.S. Eliot.
Dec. 9: "Gypsy." The musical based on the early life of Gypsy Rose Lee.
Jan. 15-16: "Annie." Like "Cats," another audience favorite. It's about a little orphaned girl who is adopted by Daddy Warbucks in Depression-era America.
Feb. 10: "Movin' Out." This musical revue is based on the songs of Billy Joel and the choreography of Twyla Tharp.
March 4-5: "Ring of Fire." Another musical revue, this one based on the songs of Johnny Cash.
As you can see, it looks like a pretty good season, though if I never see "Cats" or "Annie" again, I'll be OK.
I'm anxious to see "Hairspray" and "Movin' Out."
Current subscribers have until July 20 to renew their tickets. New subscribers can start putting in their orders on July 23.
Season tickets are $113.50-$235.
Only season subscribers are eligible to buy tickets to "Gypsy" and "Movin' Out."
Single tickets are sold the same way as always -- about six weeks before the show is scheduled to be on stage at the theater.
Call 706-256-3632 to buy season tickets. The box office is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
And, another show was added. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. in the Bill Heard Theatre.
The season:
Nov. 5-6: "Hairspray." The Tony Award-winning musical is based on the John Waters movie. It's set in 1962 Baltimore where a young girl named Tracy Turnblad is determined to become a dancer on a popular local television show.
Nov. 26-27: "Cats." One of the longest-running shows on Broadway, "Cats" is based on a poem by T.S. Eliot.
Dec. 9: "Gypsy." The musical based on the early life of Gypsy Rose Lee.
Jan. 15-16: "Annie." Like "Cats," another audience favorite. It's about a little orphaned girl who is adopted by Daddy Warbucks in Depression-era America.
Feb. 10: "Movin' Out." This musical revue is based on the songs of Billy Joel and the choreography of Twyla Tharp.
March 4-5: "Ring of Fire." Another musical revue, this one based on the songs of Johnny Cash.
As you can see, it looks like a pretty good season, though if I never see "Cats" or "Annie" again, I'll be OK.
I'm anxious to see "Hairspray" and "Movin' Out."
Current subscribers have until July 20 to renew their tickets. New subscribers can start putting in their orders on July 23.
Season tickets are $113.50-$235.
Only season subscribers are eligible to buy tickets to "Gypsy" and "Movin' Out."
Single tickets are sold the same way as always -- about six weeks before the show is scheduled to be on stage at the theater.
Call 706-256-3632 to buy season tickets. The box office is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Friday, June 22, 2007
You just worked one shift?
That's what one of my colleagues asked me when I came back into the newsroom after participating in the Ronald McDonald House's Round-Up Campaign.
Actually, I didn't work a shift. I worked an hour. And that's way different than working a shift.
All I did was get in the way!
Each McDonald's restaurant had a goal of $1,000. Before my partner, Lance Duke, of Columbus Regional Healthcare, and I came into the one on Manchester Expressway, the staff had collected $900.
So I know that the restaurant will have collected its $1,000 before the end of the day.
I had a good time again this year. The folks there are so nice.
Four of my colleagues came in an contributed to the cause, as did my brother and his wife and one of my sisters.
Friends of mine whom I e-mailed came in, too. One of them gave a lot of money.
Thank you, Susan!
I'll see you next year, though I'll be in a McDonald's somewhere before then.
Actually, I didn't work a shift. I worked an hour. And that's way different than working a shift.
All I did was get in the way!
Each McDonald's restaurant had a goal of $1,000. Before my partner, Lance Duke, of Columbus Regional Healthcare, and I came into the one on Manchester Expressway, the staff had collected $900.
So I know that the restaurant will have collected its $1,000 before the end of the day.
I had a good time again this year. The folks there are so nice.
Four of my colleagues came in an contributed to the cause, as did my brother and his wife and one of my sisters.
Friends of mine whom I e-mailed came in, too. One of them gave a lot of money.
Thank you, Susan!
I'll see you next year, though I'll be in a McDonald's somewhere before then.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Round-Up Columbus!
If you're out and about on Friday, looking to get something for lunch, go to any McDonald's Restaurant in Columbus, Phenix City, Ladonia, Valley, LaGrange and Hogansville.
There will be people at each restaurant in a special apron, asking you for the change that you get back after ordering your meal.
It's a fund-raiser for the Ronald McDonald House and it's a good one.
Last year, I participated and had a blast. Of course, they wouldn't let me flip burgers or even pour the Coca-Colas.
But I asked every single person who came in if they'd give us their change.
One of them was my friend Rearcous Smith. Rea is a fine actor, singer and dancer who's done several shows at the Springer Opera House and is a theater student at Columbus State University. I know he doesn't make much money, but he happily gave us his change. With a smile and a hug for me.
Most people were very generous.
This year, I'll be back at the McDonald's at the corner of Manchester Expressway and Veterans Parkway. I couldn't believe it when I was told that the folks there asked that I return. But then again, I wasn't flipping burgers.
I told Susan Yaksh of the Ronald McDonald House, who contacted me, that I'd be honored.
So I'll be there from noon-1 p.m. Friday with Lance Duke of Columbus Regional Healthcare.
Come on and get a meal and give us your change. Well, not us. Give your change to the Ronald McDonald House.
I'll even be nice.
There will be people at each restaurant in a special apron, asking you for the change that you get back after ordering your meal.
It's a fund-raiser for the Ronald McDonald House and it's a good one.
Last year, I participated and had a blast. Of course, they wouldn't let me flip burgers or even pour the Coca-Colas.
But I asked every single person who came in if they'd give us their change.
One of them was my friend Rearcous Smith. Rea is a fine actor, singer and dancer who's done several shows at the Springer Opera House and is a theater student at Columbus State University. I know he doesn't make much money, but he happily gave us his change. With a smile and a hug for me.
Most people were very generous.
This year, I'll be back at the McDonald's at the corner of Manchester Expressway and Veterans Parkway. I couldn't believe it when I was told that the folks there asked that I return. But then again, I wasn't flipping burgers.
I told Susan Yaksh of the Ronald McDonald House, who contacted me, that I'd be honored.
So I'll be there from noon-1 p.m. Friday with Lance Duke of Columbus Regional Healthcare.
Come on and get a meal and give us your change. Well, not us. Give your change to the Ronald McDonald House.
I'll even be nice.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Super Market
Hey, if you haven't been to the market on the 1000 block of Broadway on Saturday, it's not too late.
It's nothing like the Morning Market I'm used to in Charleston, S.C., but for a fledgling market, it's not too bad.
But if you're not a morning person, you may be disappointed.
There were no salad greens to speak of last Saturday when we got there about 11:15 a.m. We had a late start Saturday morning, so it's really our fault.
But Cheryl Wilson had this wonderful cinnamon raisin bread. Like a dummy, I shared it with two of my sisters. I should have kept the whole loaf.
My niece, Jessica, bought some vegan muffins that were really good. They would have been better with butter, but ... Jessica announced when she came home from the University of Florida that she's been a vegan for about two months now. She's been a vegetarian for about two years. Her brother, Scott, has been a vegetarian about seven years now.
Being carnivores, we (meaning her father, my sisters and I) cannot understand how this happened!
I'm sure Jess and Scott are ever so much healthier than we are. But our food is so much tastier!
The market will continue through July and it's every Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. There's music and artists and you'll see lots of your friends. At least I did.
It's fun and you should support all the local farmers and Cheryl, who just started the Downtown Baking Co.
It's nothing like the Morning Market I'm used to in Charleston, S.C., but for a fledgling market, it's not too bad.
But if you're not a morning person, you may be disappointed.
There were no salad greens to speak of last Saturday when we got there about 11:15 a.m. We had a late start Saturday morning, so it's really our fault.
But Cheryl Wilson had this wonderful cinnamon raisin bread. Like a dummy, I shared it with two of my sisters. I should have kept the whole loaf.
My niece, Jessica, bought some vegan muffins that were really good. They would have been better with butter, but ... Jessica announced when she came home from the University of Florida that she's been a vegan for about two months now. She's been a vegetarian for about two years. Her brother, Scott, has been a vegetarian about seven years now.
Being carnivores, we (meaning her father, my sisters and I) cannot understand how this happened!
I'm sure Jess and Scott are ever so much healthier than we are. But our food is so much tastier!
The market will continue through July and it's every Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. There's music and artists and you'll see lots of your friends. At least I did.
It's fun and you should support all the local farmers and Cheryl, who just started the Downtown Baking Co.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Nancy Drew, Girl Detective
I'd forgotten about Nancy Drew until I began seeing stories about the movie that's coming out Friday. It stars Emma Roberts, Eric Roberts' daughter (and Julia Roberts' niece), as Nancy.
I thought it would be interesting to find some local fans of the teenaged detective. I e-mailed Wanda Edwards at the Columbus Public Library to see what the local libraries are doing as a tie-in to the movie. After checking around, she didn't find any special programs.
So when I ran into Rebecca Haskey, who just happens to be married to our chief photographer, I asked if Barnes & Noble was doing something. She said she'd check. Rebecca is the assistant manager at B&N.
A few days later, I got an e-mail from Kim Drew, who said she and her daughter, Anna Katherine, were big fans.
Thank you, Rebecca!
I set up an interview and when I got to their house, Kim had invited Tiffany Grier, and her daughter, Molly, who are also Nancy fans.
The two mother-daughter duos and I had a great time discussing the Nancy Drew stories.
It turned out that both Kim and Tiffany were encouraged to read the series by their mothers, who had read the Nancy Drew books.
So I was dealing with third generation Nancy Drew readers with Anna Katherine and Molly.
That is such a great thing.
I've always loved the books myself. I read 'em all. Well, until I outgrew them. I'm guessing I was in the sixth grade or so when I quit reading them.
Kim is taking a group of girls -- and their moms to the early evening showing of the movie. They've invited to me come along.
I just may take them up on that invitation.
If you see the movie this weekend, let me know what you think of the film and especially if you think Emma Roberts makes a good Nancy Drew.
I interviewed Roberts a few years ago when he was doing a play in Atlanta. During the interview, I asked about his daughter. He said she was being considered for several series and he really sounded like a proud father.
I thought it would be interesting to find some local fans of the teenaged detective. I e-mailed Wanda Edwards at the Columbus Public Library to see what the local libraries are doing as a tie-in to the movie. After checking around, she didn't find any special programs.
So when I ran into Rebecca Haskey, who just happens to be married to our chief photographer, I asked if Barnes & Noble was doing something. She said she'd check. Rebecca is the assistant manager at B&N.
A few days later, I got an e-mail from Kim Drew, who said she and her daughter, Anna Katherine, were big fans.
Thank you, Rebecca!
I set up an interview and when I got to their house, Kim had invited Tiffany Grier, and her daughter, Molly, who are also Nancy fans.
The two mother-daughter duos and I had a great time discussing the Nancy Drew stories.
It turned out that both Kim and Tiffany were encouraged to read the series by their mothers, who had read the Nancy Drew books.
So I was dealing with third generation Nancy Drew readers with Anna Katherine and Molly.
That is such a great thing.
I've always loved the books myself. I read 'em all. Well, until I outgrew them. I'm guessing I was in the sixth grade or so when I quit reading them.
Kim is taking a group of girls -- and their moms to the early evening showing of the movie. They've invited to me come along.
I just may take them up on that invitation.
If you see the movie this weekend, let me know what you think of the film and especially if you think Emma Roberts makes a good Nancy Drew.
I interviewed Roberts a few years ago when he was doing a play in Atlanta. During the interview, I asked about his daughter. He said she was being considered for several series and he really sounded like a proud father.
Monday, June 11, 2007
The 2007 Tony Awards
As I was watching the Tony Awards last night, my mother asked, "How many people in Columbus have been to New York to see a play?"
Good question. I'm guessing it's a small percentage. It's probably true of the whole country. And that's probably why the ratings for the Tony Awards are usually so low. Though not as low as NHL hockey. But that's another story.
Every year, I get an e-mail from David S. Thompson, the associate professor and chair of the department of theater and dance at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta. Thompson picks the winners of the Tony Awards about a week before the actual ceremony.
He has a 79 percent of making correct predictions. Four years ago, he led all the theater critics with 86 percent.
I don't think he beat that percentage this year. I'm no good at math, so I'm not even going to try to figure it out! You're gonna have to do that yourself.
Here are the Tony winners and Thompson's picks:
Best Play:
"The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Musical:
"Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Book of a Musical:
"Grey Gardens." Thompson picked "Spring Awakening."
Best Original Score:
Duncan Sheik (music) and Steven Sater (lyrics) for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Revival of a Play:
"Journey's End." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Revival of a Musical:
"Company." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Special Theatrical Event:
"Jay Johnson: The Two and Only." Thompson picked "Kiki & Herb Alive on Broadway."
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play:
Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play:
Julie White in "The Little Dog Laughed." Thompson picked Vanessa Redgrave in "The Year of Magical Thinking."
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical:
David Hyde Pierce in "Curtains." Thompson picked Raul Esparza" in "Company."
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical:
Christine Ebersole in "Grey Gardens." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play:
Bill Crudup in "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked Anthony Chisholm in "Radio Golf."
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play:
Jennifer Ehle in "The Coast of Uptopia." Thompson picked Martha Plimpton in "The Coast of Utopia."
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical:
John Gallagher Jr. in "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked David Pittu" in "LoveMusik."
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical:
Mary Louise Wilson in "Grey Gardens." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Scenic Design of a Play:
Bob Crowley and Scott Pasak for "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Scenic Design of a Musical:
Bob Crowley for "Mary Poppins." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Costume Design of a Play:
Catherine Zuber for "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Costume Design of a Musical:
William Ivey Long for "Grey Gardens." Thompson picked Bob Crowley for "Mary Poppins."
Best Lighting Design of a Play:
Brian MacDevitt, Kenneth Posner and Natasha Katz for "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Lighting Design of a Musical:
Kevin Adams for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Direction of a Play:
Jack O'Brien for "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Director of a Musical:
Michael Mayer for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Choreography:
Bill T. Jones for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked Rob Ashford for "Curtains."
Best Orchestration:
Duncan Sheik for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
The surprise of this whole thing?
Duncan Sheik, who ended up with two Tony Awards. He's the one-hit wonder who spent 55 weeks on the Billboard charts with "Barely Breaking" in 1996-97. I had one of my colleagues download the song. I barely remember.
I guess like Rupert Holmes earlier, Sheik can turn his career around on the stage.
Good question. I'm guessing it's a small percentage. It's probably true of the whole country. And that's probably why the ratings for the Tony Awards are usually so low. Though not as low as NHL hockey. But that's another story.
Every year, I get an e-mail from David S. Thompson, the associate professor and chair of the department of theater and dance at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta. Thompson picks the winners of the Tony Awards about a week before the actual ceremony.
He has a 79 percent of making correct predictions. Four years ago, he led all the theater critics with 86 percent.
I don't think he beat that percentage this year. I'm no good at math, so I'm not even going to try to figure it out! You're gonna have to do that yourself.
Here are the Tony winners and Thompson's picks:
Best Play:
"The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Musical:
"Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Book of a Musical:
"Grey Gardens." Thompson picked "Spring Awakening."
Best Original Score:
Duncan Sheik (music) and Steven Sater (lyrics) for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Revival of a Play:
"Journey's End." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Revival of a Musical:
"Company." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Special Theatrical Event:
"Jay Johnson: The Two and Only." Thompson picked "Kiki & Herb Alive on Broadway."
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play:
Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play:
Julie White in "The Little Dog Laughed." Thompson picked Vanessa Redgrave in "The Year of Magical Thinking."
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical:
David Hyde Pierce in "Curtains." Thompson picked Raul Esparza" in "Company."
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical:
Christine Ebersole in "Grey Gardens." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play:
Bill Crudup in "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked Anthony Chisholm in "Radio Golf."
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play:
Jennifer Ehle in "The Coast of Uptopia." Thompson picked Martha Plimpton in "The Coast of Utopia."
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical:
John Gallagher Jr. in "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked David Pittu" in "LoveMusik."
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical:
Mary Louise Wilson in "Grey Gardens." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Scenic Design of a Play:
Bob Crowley and Scott Pasak for "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Scenic Design of a Musical:
Bob Crowley for "Mary Poppins." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Costume Design of a Play:
Catherine Zuber for "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Costume Design of a Musical:
William Ivey Long for "Grey Gardens." Thompson picked Bob Crowley for "Mary Poppins."
Best Lighting Design of a Play:
Brian MacDevitt, Kenneth Posner and Natasha Katz for "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Lighting Design of a Musical:
Kevin Adams for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Direction of a Play:
Jack O'Brien for "The Coast of Utopia." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Director of a Musical:
Michael Mayer for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
Best Choreography:
Bill T. Jones for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked Rob Ashford for "Curtains."
Best Orchestration:
Duncan Sheik for "Spring Awakening." Thompson picked correctly.
The surprise of this whole thing?
Duncan Sheik, who ended up with two Tony Awards. He's the one-hit wonder who spent 55 weeks on the Billboard charts with "Barely Breaking" in 1996-97. I had one of my colleagues download the song. I barely remember.
I guess like Rupert Holmes earlier, Sheik can turn his career around on the stage.
Friday, June 8, 2007
This weekend is not going to be here soon enough!
I'm pooped.
I don't know if it's the weather or what, but I'm just tired.
One of my colleagues, Annie Addington, who does a wonderful job with our Home & Garden section, is taking maternity leave soon.
While she's away, I've volunteered to some H&G stories.
Am I nuts?!
Probably. I mean, what do I know about gardening or home renovation? I don't do anything because I may break a nail. Never mind that I have a completely black thumb. Every plan I've ever had has died.
OK, I have two that survived. One was a beautiful African violet that my friend John Scott Evans gave me. It was really gorgeous with lovely blossoms. I had it in the newsroom and someone stole it.
Someone, and I cannot remember who it was, gave me this very healthy plant. I don't even know what it's called. It's grown so large that it's almost scary. It, too, used to be in the newsroom. Someone moved it into the former managing editor's office. It's getting plenty of sun there.
I always tell people when I retire, I will taking painting lessons, plant stuff, become a docent at the Columbus Museum and if I get lucky enough to win the lottery, get liposuction.
OK, so I'll never win the lottery, so lipo is out of the question. I guess I could do the other things. Eventually, when I retire.
The way I'm tired right now, retirement seems much closer than it did last week!
I don't know if it's the weather or what, but I'm just tired.
One of my colleagues, Annie Addington, who does a wonderful job with our Home & Garden section, is taking maternity leave soon.
While she's away, I've volunteered to some H&G stories.
Am I nuts?!
Probably. I mean, what do I know about gardening or home renovation? I don't do anything because I may break a nail. Never mind that I have a completely black thumb. Every plan I've ever had has died.
OK, I have two that survived. One was a beautiful African violet that my friend John Scott Evans gave me. It was really gorgeous with lovely blossoms. I had it in the newsroom and someone stole it.
Someone, and I cannot remember who it was, gave me this very healthy plant. I don't even know what it's called. It's grown so large that it's almost scary. It, too, used to be in the newsroom. Someone moved it into the former managing editor's office. It's getting plenty of sun there.
I always tell people when I retire, I will taking painting lessons, plant stuff, become a docent at the Columbus Museum and if I get lucky enough to win the lottery, get liposuction.
OK, so I'll never win the lottery, so lipo is out of the question. I guess I could do the other things. Eventually, when I retire.
The way I'm tired right now, retirement seems much closer than it did last week!
Monday, June 4, 2007
My dogs
In case you're wondering, I didn't make it to Golden Park Saturday. It was raining and I don't do well in the rain. Neither do my babies. I had no intention of taking Chipper in the first place, but the other two don't like it when they're wet. I don't like it when they're wet. So we stayed home.
Apparently, it didn't rain as much downtown as it did at our house.
I do have a tip for all of you who do own dogs in Muscogee County.
Next year, when PAWS and the Muscogee County Animal Shelter hold the rabies/microchip clinic, take advantage of it.
It cost about $60 to get Chipper microchipped and registered. It cost $40 to get both Piiko and Pookie Belle microchipped and registered a couple of weeks ago.
I also needed to get Piiko her rabies shot and city tag. It cost $20. I just need to take her to our vet so she can get her parvo shot.
When I got there, I thought you stood in line with your dogs. Oh, no. You stay in your car. It's a drive-through!
We never had to leave the car. Piiko got her rabies shot first. Then we drove to the microchip part of the clinic. Again, we didn't have to leave the car.
Piiko is really good about getting her shots, so she was fine with the micochip shot. Pookie Belle, though, sounds like you're killing her. She squirmed and yipped and squealed and whined and cried.
Both are doing fine.
If you're on a budget, this is the way to go.
Next year, I won't be so lucky. They don't need to be 'chipped and they won't need their rabies shots, either.
Oh, well.
But if you want to keep track of your dog or cat, keep an eye on our calendar. You won't be sorry.
And if I weren't such a wuss about being out in the rain, I would have been at Golden Park. I'm hoping next year will be a sunny day.
I know that Pookie Belle would have won the dog with the craziest hair!
Apparently, it didn't rain as much downtown as it did at our house.
I do have a tip for all of you who do own dogs in Muscogee County.
Next year, when PAWS and the Muscogee County Animal Shelter hold the rabies/microchip clinic, take advantage of it.
It cost about $60 to get Chipper microchipped and registered. It cost $40 to get both Piiko and Pookie Belle microchipped and registered a couple of weeks ago.
I also needed to get Piiko her rabies shot and city tag. It cost $20. I just need to take her to our vet so she can get her parvo shot.
When I got there, I thought you stood in line with your dogs. Oh, no. You stay in your car. It's a drive-through!
We never had to leave the car. Piiko got her rabies shot first. Then we drove to the microchip part of the clinic. Again, we didn't have to leave the car.
Piiko is really good about getting her shots, so she was fine with the micochip shot. Pookie Belle, though, sounds like you're killing her. She squirmed and yipped and squealed and whined and cried.
Both are doing fine.
If you're on a budget, this is the way to go.
Next year, I won't be so lucky. They don't need to be 'chipped and they won't need their rabies shots, either.
Oh, well.
But if you want to keep track of your dog or cat, keep an eye on our calendar. You won't be sorry.
And if I weren't such a wuss about being out in the rain, I would have been at Golden Park. I'm hoping next year will be a sunny day.
I know that Pookie Belle would have won the dog with the craziest hair!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Eye in the Sky
If you go to the Uptown Concert Series Friday night, check out the Columbus Police Department's Sky Watch sky box. It will be parked on the corner of Broadway and 11th Street.
When I was down there last Friday night, I saw my friend Jackie Long, a long-time CPD officer. I asked him about it and he asked if I wanted to go up in it.
Duh!
He took me up and it was a fascinating look at downtown Columbus. It looks like a cherry picker but it's an enclosed one with windows on all four sides. It's even air-conditioned.
The chair swivels so the officer can look all around.
Jackie says what happens is the officer can spot any trouble on the ground and then radios the other officers on the street. Usually, it's someone who's drunk and lurching around, he said. Other times, it's a fight or pickpocket.
It is so cool being 30 feet in the air. And did I mention it's air-conditioned?
Bruce Robinson is usually the officer in the Sky Box, so when Jackie brought it back down, he was waiting.
When he saw me, he just laughed and shook his head.
My brother, Fred, was with the Columbus Police Department before he left to go to the Hollywood (Fla.) Police Department. So he knows these guys. And through him, I've met a lot of the CPD officers.
So for once, I can say it's a good thing being Fred Okamoto's sister! I would probably never been able to go up in the Sky Box if it weren't for him. Well, maybe.
When I was down there last Friday night, I saw my friend Jackie Long, a long-time CPD officer. I asked him about it and he asked if I wanted to go up in it.
Duh!
He took me up and it was a fascinating look at downtown Columbus. It looks like a cherry picker but it's an enclosed one with windows on all four sides. It's even air-conditioned.
The chair swivels so the officer can look all around.
Jackie says what happens is the officer can spot any trouble on the ground and then radios the other officers on the street. Usually, it's someone who's drunk and lurching around, he said. Other times, it's a fight or pickpocket.
It is so cool being 30 feet in the air. And did I mention it's air-conditioned?
Bruce Robinson is usually the officer in the Sky Box, so when Jackie brought it back down, he was waiting.
When he saw me, he just laughed and shook his head.
My brother, Fred, was with the Columbus Police Department before he left to go to the Hollywood (Fla.) Police Department. So he knows these guys. And through him, I've met a lot of the CPD officers.
So for once, I can say it's a good thing being Fred Okamoto's sister! I would probably never been able to go up in the Sky Box if it weren't for him. Well, maybe.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Computer woes
I'm sure that it's probably me.
I've never worked on a PC and we now have one in the Features department. It may actually be one of two computers in the Newsroom that work. Well, most of the time.
I have had nothing but trouble logging on to this site. And since we have to blog at least three times a week, I'm in trouble!
It appears to be working now.
It's been a bad couple of days. On Sunday, my good friend Bill Rich called and said one of his trusted employees died. David Moon wasn't just an employee, though. He was one of Bill's friends. And through Bill, David became one of my favorite people.
I knew that David had high blood pressure. I thought he was taking medication for it, but apparently, he took the first bottle and then never filled the prescription.
About a month ago, he started complaining of headaches, numbness and forgetfulness. All classic signs of either a heart attack or stroke. Right? Doesn't everyone of a certain age know this?
Two weeks ago, he finally went to his doctor, who immediately gave him medication to bring his blood pressure down. David never went back to work, though people from RSL Theatrical went to see him.
Last Wednesday, David had a stroke and never came back. He died on Sunday.
At his funeral this morning, one of his buddies said that he hopes that the men in the church and even some of the women will learn from David's death. And take the medication that is prescribed to them. Every day. He took out the pills he's been prescribed and named them. Then he took them in front of everyone in the church.
David's wife, Kathy, said she knew that it would be a difficult task to get the men of RSL to wear dark suits to his funeral. So she asked them to wear the black RSL T-shirts as the honorary pallbearers. The other pallbearers, David's friends, wore Hawaiian shirts. David loved Hawaiian shirts.
The minister at Cornerstone, David and Kathy's church, spoke once at the beginning. The rest of the service was great. David's friends got up and told stories. We laughed and cried and laughed some more.
It was a wonderful send-off for a wonderful man.
I'm going to miss him, though not as much as his co-workers, friends and family.
Sayonara, David Moon.
I've never worked on a PC and we now have one in the Features department. It may actually be one of two computers in the Newsroom that work. Well, most of the time.
I have had nothing but trouble logging on to this site. And since we have to blog at least three times a week, I'm in trouble!
It appears to be working now.
It's been a bad couple of days. On Sunday, my good friend Bill Rich called and said one of his trusted employees died. David Moon wasn't just an employee, though. He was one of Bill's friends. And through Bill, David became one of my favorite people.
I knew that David had high blood pressure. I thought he was taking medication for it, but apparently, he took the first bottle and then never filled the prescription.
About a month ago, he started complaining of headaches, numbness and forgetfulness. All classic signs of either a heart attack or stroke. Right? Doesn't everyone of a certain age know this?
Two weeks ago, he finally went to his doctor, who immediately gave him medication to bring his blood pressure down. David never went back to work, though people from RSL Theatrical went to see him.
Last Wednesday, David had a stroke and never came back. He died on Sunday.
At his funeral this morning, one of his buddies said that he hopes that the men in the church and even some of the women will learn from David's death. And take the medication that is prescribed to them. Every day. He took out the pills he's been prescribed and named them. Then he took them in front of everyone in the church.
David's wife, Kathy, said she knew that it would be a difficult task to get the men of RSL to wear dark suits to his funeral. So she asked them to wear the black RSL T-shirts as the honorary pallbearers. The other pallbearers, David's friends, wore Hawaiian shirts. David loved Hawaiian shirts.
The minister at Cornerstone, David and Kathy's church, spoke once at the beginning. The rest of the service was great. David's friends got up and told stories. We laughed and cried and laughed some more.
It was a wonderful send-off for a wonderful man.
I'm going to miss him, though not as much as his co-workers, friends and family.
Sayonara, David Moon.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Brats: Our Journey Home
As always, I'm having problems getting my computer to work so I can blog.
I think I've got the problem licked now.
Last Friday, I went to the Columbus State University Cunningham Center for Leadership Development to see "Brats: Our Journey Home."
I'd seen the documentary before, but I watched it at home by myself.
This time, I was surrounded by military brats. And boy, was it great!
It didn't matter how old you are, what ethnic background, what you do for a living. Almost everyone in the room was a brat. And proud to be one.
Filmmaker Donna Musil was great, greeting people she hadn't seen in a long time and graciously meeting people for the first time.
I was able to see her mother, Dena, for the first time in a long time. She looked wonderful, as she always does.
It was strange that people came up to me, saying, "I didn't know you were a brat."
How could they not know?
Eve Tidwell and the God Bless Fort Benning folks were so very thoughtful. Eve said she knew that at 6 p.m., people wouldn't have time to go home and eat. So she gave boxes of snacks and drinks to everyone who came in the door. And who doesn't like popcorn at the movies?
I spoke to a lot of people and had a great time.
Donna, you did a great job!
By the way, Apolo Anton Ohno won "Dancing with the Stars," just as I had hoped he would.
I think I've got the problem licked now.
Last Friday, I went to the Columbus State University Cunningham Center for Leadership Development to see "Brats: Our Journey Home."
I'd seen the documentary before, but I watched it at home by myself.
This time, I was surrounded by military brats. And boy, was it great!
It didn't matter how old you are, what ethnic background, what you do for a living. Almost everyone in the room was a brat. And proud to be one.
Filmmaker Donna Musil was great, greeting people she hadn't seen in a long time and graciously meeting people for the first time.
I was able to see her mother, Dena, for the first time in a long time. She looked wonderful, as she always does.
It was strange that people came up to me, saying, "I didn't know you were a brat."
How could they not know?
Eve Tidwell and the God Bless Fort Benning folks were so very thoughtful. Eve said she knew that at 6 p.m., people wouldn't have time to go home and eat. So she gave boxes of snacks and drinks to everyone who came in the door. And who doesn't like popcorn at the movies?
I spoke to a lot of people and had a great time.
Donna, you did a great job!
By the way, Apolo Anton Ohno won "Dancing with the Stars," just as I had hoped he would.
Monday, May 21, 2007
I'm danced out this season
I came in to work on Saturday to finish a few things for To Do that I failed to finish on Friday.
Imagine my surprise when I found that my computer was on the fritz and so was the "good" computer. At least I couldn't sign on to my own blog!
I did as much as I could and then I went to "Aladdin," Patty Taylor's Academy of Fine Arts' spring recital.
As recitals go, it was a very well done show. It's a brand-new production for Patty, so the sets and costumes were spectacular. The dancers were very good. The little ones, as at any recital, were the real crowd-pleasers.
I personally knew a few of the dancers because I've interviewed them, but I'm not close to any of them.
Once, I told a friend that was I was going to a dance recital. She looked at me like I was crazy.
"Are you related to anyone in the show?"
Um, no.
"Do you know anyone in the show?"
Well, no.
"Do you really want to spend a couple of hours watching little kids dance?"
No.
"Then don't go."
I thought that was great advice.
But I went to see half of Patty's show last year and it was fun. So I decided to go this year. And I had fun.
Come to think of it, last year, I went to Gayle Humphries' spring recital as well as Janda Cearley's.
Yikes! I can't believe I actually went to three recitals last year.
Next year, I'll probably go to one of the other schools' recital.
I can't promise that I will. I'll probably have my arm twisted and go to at least one.
As for as dancing goes, I'm addicted to "Dancing With the Stars." I'm rooting for Apolo Anton Ohno. He's no Mario Lopez, but of the three dancers left, I like him the best. Of course, Laila Ali is very good, as is Ian Zierling. But there's something about Zierling's face I don't like.
We'll see this week who wins.
Imagine my surprise when I found that my computer was on the fritz and so was the "good" computer. At least I couldn't sign on to my own blog!
I did as much as I could and then I went to "Aladdin," Patty Taylor's Academy of Fine Arts' spring recital.
As recitals go, it was a very well done show. It's a brand-new production for Patty, so the sets and costumes were spectacular. The dancers were very good. The little ones, as at any recital, were the real crowd-pleasers.
I personally knew a few of the dancers because I've interviewed them, but I'm not close to any of them.
Once, I told a friend that was I was going to a dance recital. She looked at me like I was crazy.
"Are you related to anyone in the show?"
Um, no.
"Do you know anyone in the show?"
Well, no.
"Do you really want to spend a couple of hours watching little kids dance?"
No.
"Then don't go."
I thought that was great advice.
But I went to see half of Patty's show last year and it was fun. So I decided to go this year. And I had fun.
Come to think of it, last year, I went to Gayle Humphries' spring recital as well as Janda Cearley's.
Yikes! I can't believe I actually went to three recitals last year.
Next year, I'll probably go to one of the other schools' recital.
I can't promise that I will. I'll probably have my arm twisted and go to at least one.
As for as dancing goes, I'm addicted to "Dancing With the Stars." I'm rooting for Apolo Anton Ohno. He's no Mario Lopez, but of the three dancers left, I like him the best. Of course, Laila Ali is very good, as is Ian Zierling. But there's something about Zierling's face I don't like.
We'll see this week who wins.
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