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.
Friday, June 29, 2007
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!
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