Tuesday, February 24, 2015

The Little Foxes

May 2 - Jun 7, 2015 In the Albert            
 
An electrifying revival of Lillian Hellman’s classic turn-of-the century study of family greed, praised as “one of the most enjoyably chilling chapters in the history of melodrama” (The New York Times)
Ben and Oscar Hubbard stand to earn millions funding an industrialized cotton mill, and seek help with the initial investment from their sister Regina. The refusal of Regina’s dying husband to finance the scheme sets off an explosive series of betrayals, shattering the Hubbard clan’s genteel façade and exposing their ruthless pursuit of wealth. Ferocious, funny and enduringly relevant, The Little Foxes is an absorbing chronicle of the dark side of the American Dream and wealth’s corrupting power.
Group savings available for 10+. For info contact Groups@GoodmanTheatre.org or call 312.443.3820. Goodman Theater

Pottery Barn

Promo Code: PK4M-PHDT-NQHW Pottery Barn International Shipping

Spinach Dip

Ingredients

  • 1 box (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, cooked, cooled and squeezed dry (a box of frozen chopped spinach defrosted)
  • 1 container (16 oz.) sour cream*
  • 1 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
  • 1 package Knorr® Vegetable recipe mix (soup mix with recipe on box)
  • 1 can (8 oz.) water chestnuts, drained and chopped (optional) (never use)
  • 3 green onions, chopped (optional)(soup mix already has an oniony flavor)

Directions

  • Combine all ingredients and chill about 2 hours. Serve with your favorite dippers to your favorite people. Knorr

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Sergei Polunin

Ballet Sergei Vladimirovich Polunin (Ukrainian: Сергій Володи́мирович Полу́нін; born November 20, 1989) is a ballet dancer who was formerly a principal dancer with the British Royal Ballet and is currently a principal dancer with The Stanislavsky Music Theatre (Moscow) and the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre (Novosibirsk) in Russia. Wikipedia

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Can We Please Love our Children and our Neighbor's Children As our Angels.

Natalie Merchant --10,000 Maniacs, "What's the Matter Here?" I have heard about Child Abuse. Parents get counseling if you feel inept to care for your kids, and reach out to health care professionals if your ribbon is frayed and you need tablets. There is nothing worse than harming god's children. They are left with untreatable pain. And step up to the challenge to address such an issue if you know it exists with a school child or a child from your place of worship, or community. These innocent children need our protections. Report any signs of child abuse and follow up and make sure the child is in protective services and be a pillar of strength for the child if you think the child can trust you as a role model. Department of Children and Family Services, State of Illinois Yahoo!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Barry Manilow at United Center, Chicago -- February 14, 2015

Even Now

25 Shockingly Easy Ways For Families to Save Money on Disney Trips By Brinton Parker

A Disney trip is the quintessential family vacation, but it can seriously drain your bank account. After spending hundreds of dollars for tickets, buying gas or airplane tickets for the journey, and paying for a hotel room, you might start to wonder how anybody could consider visiting the Disney parks more than once in a lifetime! However, with a bit of theme-park savvy, you can save enough money on your trip to truly make Disneyland (or Walt Disney World!) the happiest place on earth. Here are the best ways to save money on your family's next Disney trip.

  1. Collect free souvenirs before buying: Did you know that you can get a few free items throughout the Disney parks? Ask your Jungle Cruise guides for a map, and they'll happily present your kids with one, and most Tom Sawyer's Riverboat captains will give a certificate to guests who ask to pilot the boat.
  2. Hang on to your receipts: Some receipts from park restaurants include same-day discounts for Downtown Disney retailers in the fine print, so be sure to inspect yours before tossing it. You can use these discounts to buy marked-down toys and costumes for your kids!
  3. Get discounted tickets for various memberships: Disney offers discounted rates for military members, D23 fans, AARP members, and AAA users, so never buy your passes before checking your eligibility.
  4. Have your picture taken for free: While the Disney Photopass photographers are there to sell professional pictures, they're happy to take a cell phone snap of your family if you ask politely.
  5. Disney Vacation Club members eat cheaply: If your family is big on Disney, you might want to consider sharing property through the Disney vacation club. While it's not cheap, the membership means that you'll enjoy discounted meals, tickets, and even spa treatments every time you visit a Disney resort.
  6. Use the Disney shuttle to skip parking fees: If you're staying at an off-site hotel, there are plenty of shuttle options to get you to and from the parks. Plenty of families use these buses to avoid the $17 parking fee at the resort.
  7. Enjoy the perks of D23 fandom: D23, the largest Disney fan organization in the world, distributes cards to its members that can result in discounts from local establishments. Your family can eat and see films on the cheap because of your die-hard Disney fandom!
  8. Get your sundae on: A Mousesavers user suggests that families with a sweet tooth split the Earthquake sundae at Florida's Downtown Disney Ghirardelli ice cream shop. "It's an 8 scoop sundae. Not only can you choose the flavors of ice cream, but also all the toppings," the user states, adding, "When we figured the cost of 6 individual sundaes, the Earthquake at $29.95 is a real bargain. We all had fun and made a mess at the same time."
  9. Locals get cheaper tickets: If your family resides in Florida or Southern California, you can get discounted tickets at your local Disney resort. Simply prove your residency and enjoy the perks!
  10. Visit the parks during Summer for longer hours: To get the most for your money, visit the parks during the Summer season. Because it's light later, the Disney parks stay open longer! However, the lines will be longer due to peak season.
  11. Eat breakfast before entering the park: Whether it means choosing an inn that serves continental breakfast or keeping milk and cereal in the hotel room, your family can save tons of money by avoiding the pricey breakfast options at the Disney parks.
  12. Check the Disney site for discounts before arriving: On occasion, Disney will offer deals for savvy visitors. Check the discounts and deals page before planning your family's trip, because there might be some lucrative options to save.
  13. Open a Disney Rewards Visa card: By joining Disney's credit card program, you'll get discounts throughout your vacation process. From no-interest vacation packages to percentages off resort dining and amenities, it's worthwhile to snag one of these cards.
  14. Buy your kids' souvenirs in advance: While coming home with new Disney gear can be superexciting, prices within the parks tend to be exorbitant. Try buying your kids new Disney toys and clothes from inexpensive retailers, packing them, and surprising them with new stuff at the start of your vacation! You'll save money, and they won't feel left out.
  15. Skip the stroller rental fees: Be sure to bring a stroller that falls within Disney's size parameters (36 inches by 52 inches) so that you're not forced to pay $15 per day for a rental.
  16. Try annual passes: If you visit Disney with your family often, it quickly becomes reasonable to acquire annual park passes. In addition to more visits, pass holders also receive substantial discounts on food and merchandise throughout the park during their visit.
  17. Avoid data charges on your cell phone: If you're taking the kids to Disney World, you'll want to post photos on social media. Skip the data fees for large uploads by utilizing WDW's free WiFi network, Disney-Guest.
  18. Spring for inexpensive memories in the park: The cheapest Disney souvenirs are by far the pressed pennies — encourage your kids to collect every one! It's a fun (and cost-efficient) activity that they'll remember forever.
  19. Check Costco for gift certificates: As Costco members know, one of the best ways to save in the store is by purchasing restaurant gift cards at a discounted rate. Before visiting Anaheim or Orlando, check your local Costco to find gift certificates at Downtown Disney restaurants like Rainforest Cafe and Bubba Gump.
  20. Dress the kids up yourself: While Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a favorite of little girls everywhere, the princess makeovers offered are quite expensive. Make your kids feel special by bringing out their Halloween costumes and some face paint for the park visit!
  21. Evaluate the benefits of a resort hotel: Usually, off-site hotels are a better bargain than Disney's offerings. However, if your family desires a bit of magic every night, you should consider the benefits of resort lodging. Rooms usually come with extended park visiting hours, free parking, and even the option to send park souvenir purchases back to your suite at no charge.
  22. Bring your own food: While you'll definitely want to enjoy some snacks in the park (Dole Whip, anyone?), you can save tons of money by bringing your own water bottles, sandwiches, and snacks. The cash you can save this way is astounding!
  23. Make your own autograph book: Instead of springing for official Disney autograph books, get crafty with your little ones to create unique pamphlets that their favorite characters can sign. You'll make memories before even entering the park!
  24. Rent a house for large groups: Travel and Leisure recommends that big families consider rental homes instead of multiple hotel rooms during their vacation. Often, you'll pay the same for a four-bedroom home as you would for a night in the Grand Californian hotel!
  25. Budget your kids: A great way to avoid overspending while teaching your kids the value of a dollar is to budget them. Mousesavers suggests that before your trip (even for birthdays or holidays), you should give each child a Disney gift card. Make it clear that they can spend theirs how they please in the park, but once they're gone, they're finished buying things during the vacation. PopSugar Moms Yahoo!

7 Foods that Will Make Arthritis Pain Worse By Alana Marie Burke

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system erroneously attacks healthy tissue. This results in inflammation most commonly in the hands, wrists, feet, knees and hip joints as well as in their surrounding tissue. Certain foods have been shown to increase the pain, swelling and stiffness in joints affected by arthritis. Simple dietary changes can help prevent the triggering of these painful symptoms. Here are seven foods that will make rheumatoid arthritis pain worse:

1. Dairy - Although low-fat and nonfat choices are healthier overall, it is not the fat in dairy that worsens arthritis pain, it is the milk proteins. Some people are particularly sensitive to the proteins which when ingested, may trigger inflammation and for people with arthritis, this will make their pain worse.

2. Gluten - Gluten-free is currently a nutritional buzzword even though many people don't actually know what "gluten" is. Gluten is a protein complex that is found mostly in wheat products as well as rye and barley. Gluten is the primary suspect in Celiac disease, which is an inflammatory condition that mimics arthritis.

3. Red meat - Although primarily a culprit in increasing the symptoms of gout, which is a form of arthritis, red meat may also worsen the pain of other types of arthritis.

4. Fried and processed foods - Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai report, "cutting back on the consumption of processed and fried foods, which are high in toxins called Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs), can reduce inflammation and actually help restore the body’s natural defenses regardless of age or health status."

5. Sugar and refined flour are foods that causes inflammation and thus make arthritis pain worse. "Simple sugars — found in foods like cookies, fruit juice, soft drinks, and candy — are also refined carbohydrates; they send your blood-sugar levels soaring and set off an inflammatory response in the body," according to Joy Bauer, nutritional expert for the "Today Show."

6. Excess salt - Arthritis Today reports Americans consume more than eight times more salt than what the body actually needs which can result in water retention, dehydration, and hypertension. "People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be at higher risk for salt’s effects. RA can cause coronary arteries to become inflamed, increasing the risk of hypertension. Corticosteroids, commonly used to treat RA, cause the body to retain more sodium." It has been reported that salt can act as a trigger food and can make the symptoms of arthritis worse.

7. High fat, high calorie foods that cause weight gain should be avoided by those with arthritis because any extra weight puts additional stress on arthritic joints. In addition, researchers at the Mayo Clinic noted obesity and rheumatoid arthritis are becoming more common. In a study of hundreds of patients, they found that a history of obesity put women at "significant risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis." Newsmax

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Paris Lawyer Mystery Writer Wins Award

Sylvie Granotier, French author of the mystery The Paris Lawyer, which was published in English by Le French Book, won yet another French literary prize for her fiction. Mystery and thriller publisher Le French Book sets out to translate France’s top mysteries and thrillers in English. This month, one of their authors received a literary prize and a second was short-listed for another prize. Author, screenwriter and actress Sylvie Granotier loves to weave spine-tingling plots. She has over sixteen novels to her name in French and is considered one of France’s masters of crime fiction. Her suspense novel The Paris Lawyer, available in English, won the Grand Prix du Sang d’encre when it was released. It’s a psychological thriller about coming to grips with a traumatic past. This month, Sylvie Granotier won yet another French literary award for her most recent work of fiction, Personne n'en saura rien, which is not yet available in English. PRWeb Amazon.com Amazon.com

Monday, February 2, 2015

CSU holds regional meeting in Wildbad Kreuth

“There should be no democratically legitimated party to the right of the CSU.” So said Franz-Josef Strauss, the legendary chairman of Germany's Christian Social Union (CSU), the sister party of Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), in the 1970s.

The CSU conference lasts for three days, and it is taking place this year for the 39th time. The sun even broke through the clouds briefly as the CSU politicians arrived, illuminating the little yellow Bavarian palace in the narrow Alpine valley, surrounded by snow and dark spruces.

Party chairman Horst Seehofer was then the first to take a stance. He will not, he said, stand again for the Bavarian premiership in 2018. Seehofer said he wanted to win the general election in 2017 alongside Angela Merkel and then step down. There's no indication who will succeed him: This decision is presumably one Seehofer will make close to the time.

More “justice” in asylum proceedings
An important topic at this CSU conference will be the record numbers of refugees arriving in Germany. Seehofer praised the solidarity shown by both the people and the local authorities. Now, he said, it was important to see that there was more justice. The federal government had, he said, created 300 additional jobs to speed up the processing of asylum applications. For their part, the federal states now had to deal with the refugees who have no prospect of being granted asylum because their countries of origin are deemed to be safe. This, Seehofer said, meant that these refugees should be swiftly deported, as soon as possible – it was also “what the people expect.”Seehofer did not repeat the proposal the CSU put forward just a few days ago for a six-week turbo asylum procedure. According to the federal office concerned, people from Serbia can be deported after just four weeks. The spokeswoman of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees said that an additional group of employees set up for this purpose had been shut down. Yet processing the other applications still takes, on average, 4.9 months. The target time, according to the coalition agreement, though, is just three months. Refugees from Syria and Iraq are exceptions to this rule: Their asylum applications are decided on after just two weeks. Seehofer did, however, make a little foray into the refugee question after all. It was, he said, the job of politics, also in the European Union, to help improve the situation for refugees in their home countries. It was better, he said, to help there rather than to encourage migration flows. Deutsche Welle Sueddeutsche.de