DIY Valentine Gift Ideas

 

Valentine's Day is just a week away, so if you don't have a gift yet, it's time to start planning. But what if you want to save some money, and/or give a gift from the heart? Consider making a gift for your loved one(s).

1. A bouquet of flowers, especially red roses, is a traditional Valentine's Day gift. But what if you made the flowers out of tissue paper and pipe cleaners? Not only are they just as pretty, but they last longer. You can also use recycled materials, like post it notes or newspaper. You can even get creative with a vase, such as a decoupaged bottle or jar. You could also decorate it with washi tape, stickers or 3-D embellishments.

2. A handmade card is also a classic option. You can get crafty with the decorations, and include a heartfelt message on the inside or even a poem! Hearts are a popular choice, especially if you made them 3-D. Flowers, cupids, or just something you love like animals.    

3. Baked goods and other edible options are usually a hit. Just make sure you take your loved one's diet into account. Cookies, brownies and candies are usually winners. But what a heart shaped pizza or a bouquet of jerky? You could even diy your own Edible Arrangement with their favorite fruits.

4. What better way to express your feelings than writing them a love song and recording it? If you have a shared "song," you could record yourself singing it. If you are not musically inclined, you could create the perfect playlist for them, just like they used to do with mixed tapes.

Will's Book Nook: Suspense (1940-1962)

 

Lurene Tuttle (left) and Rosalind Russell
in "The Sisters" on Suspense (1948)

 

 

 

Suspense was a long running radio show on CBS that had various different directors and hosts, including Alfred Hitchcock. It had the subtitle, "radio's outstanding theater of thrills" and followed a suspense-driven formula. According to Wikipedia, "the protagonist was usually a normal person suddenly dropped into a threatening or bizarre situation; solutions were "withheld until the last possible second"; and evildoers were usually punished in the end." I like the strong acting performances from leading Hollywood stars, such as Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre. One episode featured a man trying to cheat death, but it keeps showing up as if death were an actual person. He eventually catches up with him as a hitchhiker. The sound effects were creepy and effective and the twists and turns were suspenseful. So far I'd give it a 4 out of 5 scribbles. Sometimes the audio quality is a little lacking, given the age of the show.

Arts Connections Advice #7

Q: I'm an adult who lives at home with my parents and we often have conflict. How do I get them to see me more as an adult?

A: It all comes down to responsibility. The more you can do to prove your independence and contribute to the household, the more you will likely be seen as adult. The first step is picking up after yourself and not making extra work for those around you. Then it's a good idea to find chores that are easiest for you to do and that you're best at. And don't forget to be a good team member and work with your parents (or other family member) to do certain things that you might not be able to do completely on your own. Make dinner together, set the silverware, while your mom puts out the plates, unload the bottom rack  of the dishwasher and hand dishes off to someone else to put in cabinets. If you'd like to start managing your money, work together to create a budget and start a savings account. Give yourself a certain amount of spending money, and put the rest into savings. See if you can stick to your budget and save toward bigger items. And don't forget to work on cooperation and a positive attitude. If you want your parents to stop punishing you, make sure that they clearly outline their expectations and that you are following through. If your system isn't working, bring it up with them so that you can work out a solution together. If you are in a bad mood, try to develop strategies so that you don't take it out on others. Keep the lines of communication open to avoid misunderstandings as well. It's not always easy to live in harmony, and you're going to have disagreements from time to time, but as long as you view living together as cooperative undertaking, you will get the respect you seek.  

Will's Book Nook: Sherlock Holmes: The Carleton Hobbs Collection

 

A new collection of remastered episodes of Carleton Hobbs' Sherlock Holmes BBC Radio Show, that ran from 1952 to 1969, making him the longest tenured Sherlock Holmes. This series stars Carleton Hobbs as Holmes and Norman Shelly as Watson. It also stars a young Christopher Lee as Dr. Moriarty. He's one of my favorite actors. Vintage would be a good way to describe it, which works for me, because I've been getting into older stuff. I like the older style of talking and the slang that is no longer in use, like "'ods bodkins," which can best translated as "oh my!" Based on what I've listened to so far, I'd give it 5 out 5 scribbles.

Trash Crash!

 

Arts Connections' Executive Director and Writing Together Instructor, Margaret Govoni, had a very dramatic week! She was home last Tuesday and heard some commotion, then her garbage man came to the door and informed her that he had crashed the garbage truck into her property, taking out the gas line, an electric pole and the fence. The gas line usually has an automatic shut off valve in case of such accidents, but because of the cold temperatures, it was frozen open and spewing gas. The electric pole was giving off sparks! It's a miracle that nothing exploded. It's also a miracle that the driver was unhurt. The garbage truck took down several trees, crushing the passenger side of the cab and a tree branch punctured the windshield and the passenger seat. East Mountain Disposal garbage trucks make the rounds with two people: the driver and the trash collector. Luckily, there was only one person operating the vehicle and collecting the trash, so there was no passenger. Electricity was out for 43 homes, including Margaret's. PNM replaced the pole and power was restored eight hours later. The gas leak was capped within just a few hours, but due to the damage, the gas line will have to be replaced all the way to Margaret's house. This will be a major project and will take weeks, if not longer. Meanwhile, Margaret and her family have no heat during the coldest week of the year. They are using their wood burning stove and space heaters to stay warm. A week after the accident, the garbage truck is still on Margaret's lawn, and yes, it does smell like trash!      

 

Mark's Movie of the Week #12: Ragtime

 

Ragtime is a 1981 American drama film directed by Milos Forman and based on the 1975 historical novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow. The film is set in and around historical turn of the century New York City. The film stars James Olson, Mary Steenbergen, Howard Rollins, Brad Dourif, Elizabeth McGovern and featuring the final film appearances of James Cagney and Pat O'Brien. It features early appearances in small parts by Jeff Daniels, Fran Drescher, Samuel L. Jackson, Ethan Phillips and John Ratzenberger. It was nominated for 8 Academy Awards. Every time is Ragtime.

Gardening with Lora: Christmas Decorations

 

There are many ways to introduce flowers and plants into your Christmas decor. Of course, there's the tree, decorated with lights. Most people buy a new tree that is grown on a tree farm every year, which is then thrown out or recycled. Many others have a fake tree that they bring out of storage every year. But you can also have a smaller potted tree that you can decorate with tiny ornaments. You can keep year round as a houseplant, or you can plant it in the spring.  

 

Other plants to bring in are holly and mistletoe, which are usually found as garlands on mantles and banisters, in wreaths along with pine branches, or hanging over the doorway. You can purchase fresh versions from your local flower shop, nursery or grocery store. Many people decorate with fake versions as well. 

 

Holiday tables are often decorated with holly and pine branches as well, in addition to pine cones.

 

One flower that is commonly associated with Christmas is the poinsettia. These vibrant red flowers (or sometimes white) are usually potted and can be kept year round. They are often given as holiday gifts. Just make sure that you're careful with them if you have a cat or dog. They are poisonous! 

Mark's Movie of the Week #11: My Fair Lady

 

My Fair Lady is 1964 American musical drama film adapted from the 1956 Lerner & Lowe stage musical based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 stage play Pygmalion. It stars Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Dolittle, Rex Harrison as Professor Henry Higgins, Stanley Holloway as Alfred P. Dolittle and many more stars. The film won 8 Oscars, including Best Actor, Best Director (George Cukor) and Best Picture (Jack L. Warner). My Fair Lady was truly loverly.

Mark's Move of the Week #9: Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British epic and historical drama based on the life of T.E. Lawrence and his 1926 book, Pillars of Wisdom. The film stars Peter O'Toole as Lawrence with performances by Alec Guiness, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif among others. I was presented in two part, divided by an intermission. Lawrence of Arabia was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture and Director, David Lean. Lawrence of Arabia was one of the greatest epics of 1962.

Arts Connections Advice #7

 

Q: I was recently trying to send a file via email, which is new to me. I live with my mother, who didn't grow up with computers, so it's hard to figure out how to use different features. How do I get his information?

A: The easiest way to find out simple computing functions is to do a web search. When I looked up your specific question, many results came up. This is a very common question! The first result was from support.google.com, but there were also YouTube videos and a step by step guide by wikihow.com that includes pictures. You can apply this search method to almost any basic computing question and find tons of resources. When in doubt, Google it!

Q: How do we celebrate the holidays this year with the "Tripledemic" of Covid, the flu and RSV? 

A: We know how to navigate this from the past two holiday seasons, so one option is to stay home and have another socially distanced holiday. But that's easier said than done when you want to spend time with loved ones. So the best way to protect yourself is to make sure that everyone has had all of their Covid boosters and this year's flu shot. There's still no vaccine for RSV, so if there are infants and elderly relatives, you may all want to mask up. Same advice applies if anyone is showing symptoms of a respiratory infection. If you live in a resonably warm climate, you may also want to spend a lot of time outside. None of this will protect you 100%, but odds are that if you're fully boosted and vaccinated, that you should be ok. 

Mark's Movie of the Week #10: Gigi

 Gigi is a 1958 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Vincente Minnelli and processed using Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Eastmancolor film process Metrocolor.  The screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner is based on the 1944 novella of the same name by Colette.  The film features songs and lyrics by Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, arranged and conducted by Andre Previn.  The film is set in LaBelle Epoque at the turn of the 20th century.  Gigi's mother (a singer who is heard but never seen onscreen) leaves her care mostly to Madame Alvarez.  Madame Alvarez regularly sends Gigi to her sister, Alicia (Gigi's great aunt) to be groomed as a courtesan, which is a dignified euphemism for a wealthy man's mistress.  She learns proper etiquette and charm, but she prefers having fun with Gaston, whom she regards as an older brother.  Gaston is a known womanizer.  While playing cards with Gaston, Gigi wagers that if he loses, he must take her and her grandmother to the seaside for the weekend. Gaston loses the bet and the three travel to Trouville.  Gigi and Gaston have lots of fun together.  As other women at the resort are bored or have disdain for anything unfamiliar, Gigi pulls Gaston out of his depressive rut with her carefree attitude. When Gaston goes to Monte Carlo, Madame Alvarez schemes to turn Gigi into his mistress. After storming out several times, Gaston realizes that he is in love with Gigi.  He wishes only to be near her.  Gaston proposes a generous "business arrangement" to Madame Alvarez for Gigi to become his mistress; Gigi is unhappy with the arrangement.  Gigi refuses, telling Gaston she wants their relationship to remain platonic. Gaston professes his love for Gigi and asks for her hand in marriage. The final sequence returns to Honore Lachaille, who proudly points out Gaston and Gigi getting into a carriage in the Bois de Boulogne: elegant, beautiful, and happily married.  Gigi stars Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jordan, Hermione Gingold, Eva Gabor and John Abbot.  Gigi has 12 songs including "Honore's Soliloquy", "Thank Heaven for Little Girls", "The Parisians", Gaston's Soliloquy" the film's title song and "Say a Prayer for Me Tonight." Gigi won a record 9 Oscars including Best Picture (Arthur Freed), Best Director (Vincente Minnelli), Best Screenplay-Based on Material from another Medium (Alan Jay Lerner), Best Cinematography-Color, Best Costume Design (Cecil Beaton), Best Scoring of a Musical (Andre Previn) and Best Song (Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner for "Gigi").  In tribute to Gigi's domination of the Oscars, the MGM switchboard answered calls the following day with "M-Gigi-M." Thank heaven for Gigi.

What's the Deal With Advent Calendars?

 

Advent calendars are a fun way to count down to Christmas. The original idea was to acknowledge the Sundays in the season of Advent, leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ. But today, they are a daily calendar (usually starting on December 1st) with little doors or drawers containing small gifts. We did some research and found that most advent calendars fall into these categories: food and drink, ornaments, make up and self care items, toys and figurines, or a set of little drawers that you can fill yourself.

Food and drink: With these calendars, you get a different edible item every day to enjoy. Chocolates are very popular, but there are also many featuring wine and liquor, cookies and snacks, cheeses, jam and condiments, coffee and tea, and even this one, called O Holy Cow, featuring jerky:

 

Ornaments: Many of this type feature a pop up Christmas tree and every day you get a different cardboard ornament to hang on the tree. These are often themed, such as Harry Potter, Star Wars or Disney characters. But there are also fancier ones, like this one, featuring a different Swarovski crystal ornament every day:

Make Up and Self Care: This is another popular option. You get a different lipstick, blush, eyeshadow hair accessory or make up tool every day. Others include bath bombs, lotions, and even one that contains beard care items from Beard Octane:

 

Toys and Figurines: Another popular category is toys and figurines, like Lego, Playmobile or Marvel action figures. Some create a little scene or set. This one is only 10 days, but it features something called Gue from Elmer's:

There are pretty much as many different types of advent calendars as you can think of. The possibilities are endless!

Gardening with Lora: Decorations for your Thanksgiving Table

 

In addition to using your nicest plates, glasses and silverware, you can create a festive Thanksgiving table with items from your garden.

Plants and Flowers: There are many ways to incorporate flowers into your table decor. You can cut fresh flowers, if you have brought your plants inside for the winter. You can dry flowers in the summer and keep them for the fall. You can even place potted plants on the table and decorate around them.

Gourds: Pumpkins, squash and other gourds of various sizes can be used to make your table Thanksgiving themed. You can even repurpose some of your Halloween pumpkin decor (just turn them around if they have a jack o' lantern face). 

Fall Leaves: The leaves are still changing before they fall off for the winter. You can save them and dry them in various color stages and use them as table decorations. Reds, oranges and yellows make for perfect Thanksgiving colors.

Horn of Plenty: Any of the above items can come together in a Cornucopia or Horn of Plenty as an impressive centerpiece. You can also include dried corn and any vegetable left over from your garden, like zucchini, tomatoes and root vegetables like potatoes. Dried grasses, like wheat, can be added to complete the look.

 

Arts Connections Advice #6

 

Q: As with every year, this Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for my family and friends. But I'm struggling with the recent loss of a loved one. How can I stay thankful?

A: There are many ways to express your love and your grief, while also remaining thankful. If you are religious, you can offer a special prayer before your Thanksgiving meal. If you celebrate Dia del los Muertos, you can create an altar honoring their memory and keep it up through Thanksgiving. You can leave a seat at the table for them and decorate their chair and place setting with mementos and pictures. And one special way to remember them is to go around the table and have everyone who knew them tell a favorite memory of your loved one.

Q: I have a small family and there will just be a few of us this Thanksgiving. How do we best celebrate a small, quiet holiday?

A: If you have any family traditions, like watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or the football game, you can still enjoy watching together as a small group. You could do a craft project together to decorate the table while you watch. Instead of cooking a huge turkey for just a few people, consider a roast chicken or just the turkey breast. Some people like roast duck as well. Ask the people attending what their favorite sides are and skip the rest. You can be just as thankful for a quiet Thanksgiving with a few of those closest to you, instead of a huge, loud gathering.

Mark's Movie of the Week #8: Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump 

 

(Steve Tisch/Wendy Finerman Productions; Paramount Pictures; July 6,1994; 142 minutes)

Screenplay by Eric Roth

Based on the novel by Winston Groom 

Produced by Wendy Finerman, Steve Tisch and Steve Starkey 

Directed by Robert Zemeckis 

Forrest Gump is a 1994  American comedy-drama film, based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom and stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson and Sally Field.  The story depicts the life of Forrest Gump,  slow witted and kindhearted man from Alabama.  As a boy in 1956, young Forrest has an I.Q. of 75 and is fitted with leg braces to correct a curved spine.  His mother runs a boarding house and encourages him to live beyond his disabilities.  Among their temporary tenants is a young Elvis Presley, who plays the guitar and incorporates the boy's jerky dance movements into his performances.  On his first day of school Forrest meets a girl named Jenny Curran, and the two become best friends..  Bullied, Forrest flees from a group of children, but when his braces break off, he is revealed to be a fast runner.  With this talent he receives a football

 scholarship to the University of Alabama in 1962, where he is coached by Bear Bryant, becomes a top kick off returner, is named to the All-American team travels to the White House and meets President John F. Kennedy.  In his first year of college he witnessed the governor, George Wallace, stand in the schoolhouse door refusing to admit Vivian Malone.  After graduating college in 1966, Forrest enlisted in the army.  During basic training he befriended a fellow soldier named Benjamin Buford Blue (nicknamed Bubba) who convinced Forrest to go into the shrimping business with him.  Later that year they are sent to Vietnam, while there their platoon is ambushed and "Bubba" is killed in action.  Forrest saves several wounded platoon mates.  Forrest is awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism by President Lyndon B. Johnson.  Discharged from the army Forrest returns home endorses a company

 that makes ping pong paddles and used the earnings to buy a shrimping boat in Bayou La Batre, fulfilling his promise to "Bubba."  Initially the company has little success.  After their boat becomes the only boat to survive hurricane Carmen, they pull a huge amount of shrimp and he created the profitable Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Dan, one of the men he saved in Vietnam, became partners and the two became millionaires.  Forrest gave half of his earnings to Bubba's family for having inspired the shrimping venture.  Jenny and Forrest were separated for a very long period of time and when they got back together a son was the result of their union.  He was named Forrest Gump Jr.  Jenny dies a year after they were married.  The film ends with Forrest sending his son off on his first day of school.  Forrest Gump also stars Haley Joel Osment, Dick Cavett (as himself),Geoffrey Blake, Hanna R.  Hall,

 and many others.  Forrest Gump was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won 6 Oscars, including Best Picture (Wendy Finerman, Steve Tisch and Steve Starkey), Best Director (Robert Zemeckis), Best Screenplay based on material previously produced or published (Adapted Screenplay)(Eric Roth), Best Film Editing (Arthur Schmidt) and Best Visual Effects (Ken Ralston, George Murphy, Allen Hall and Stephen Rosenbaum) and known for these quotes: "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." And Mama said "Stupid is as stupid does." Forrest Gump had 32 songs including "Hound Dog", Blowin in the Wind," California Dreamin' ","What the World Needs Now is Love", Mrs. Robinson", "Turn, Turn, Turn(to everything there is a season), "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head", "Sweet Home Alabama ", "On the Road Again ","Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree", "Get Down Tonight", "Free Bird" and more. You'll never more about Forrest Gump. 

Dia de Los Muertos in New Mexico

 

Dia de los Muertos, translated as Day of the Dead, is primarily a Mexican holiday. But New Mexico used to be part of Mexico and the tradition is still strong here today. In Albuquerque's South Valley, the Marigold Parade happens every year, with participants dressed up in traditional, brightly colored Mexican clothing and calacas (skeleton masks) or face paint. People carry signs and mementos honoring their ancestors and throw candy to the children. 

Altars or ofrendas honoring the dead are an import part of Dia de los Muertos celebrations, but unlike European altars, they are very colorful and celebratory. According to mexican-folk-art-guide.com, "Altars make the souls (animas) feel welcomed and show them that they have not been forgotten." 

The website also talks about the meaning of different levels in the ofrendas: "In some areas altars are made with two levels that symbolize heaven and earth; in others they are made with three levels for heaven, purgatory and earth; and there are places where altars with seven levels are placed, each of these levels represents the steps a soul has to make to get to heaven."  

The altars can include many different elements that vary by region or from altar to altar. Some of the elements include:

Pictures and personal items of the dead are often included to show who is being honored.

Fresh and colorful flowers, particularly marigolds, are used to decorate the ofrenda in order to welcome returning soul with their scent. 

An arch is often a part of an ofrenda, symbolizing the entrance to the world of the dead.

Chiseled paper (papel picado) flags depicting saints, skulls and skeletons can also represent the element of air, because of the way they move in the breeze.

Candles (often pillar candles depicting saints and religious figures) are an essential element. "Candles show the souls their way to the altar and back to the dead world; they symbolize the light, hope and faith," according to the Mexican Folk Art Guide.  

Other religious elements, such as crucifixes and images of the Virgin Mary and other saints are included.

Food is also an important element of an ofrenda: a glass of water to quench the souls' thirst after their journey, a plate of salt as a purifying element, pan de muertos is a fraternal offering. And many other food items and sweets vary by region.

Mark's Movie of the Week #7: American Graffiti

 

American Graffiti 

(Lucasfilm Ltd./Coppola Company; Universal Pictures; August 11,1973;112 minutes)

Written by George Lucas and Gloria Katz & Willard Huyck

Produced by Francis Ford Coppola 

Co-Produced by Gary Kurtz

Directed by George Lucas 

 

American Graffiti is a 1973 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film, and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard (billed as Ronny Howard), Paul Le Mat, Harrison Ford, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Bo Hopkins and Wolfman Jack.  On their last evening of summer vacation in 1962, high school graduates and friends Curt Henderson and Steve Bolander meets two other friends, John Milner, the drag-racing king and Terry "The Toad " Fields, in the parking lot of Mel's Drive-in in Modesto, California.  Curt and Steve are to travel "Back East" the following morning to start college.  Curt has second thoughts about leaving Modesto.  Steve gives Terry his car to care for until he returns.  Laurie, Steve's girlfriend and Curt's sister, arrives.  Steve suggest to Laurie that they see other people while he is away to "strengthen" their relationship.  Though not openly upset, she is affecting their interactions through the night.  Curt, Steve and Laurie attend the back-to-school sock hop.  En route, Curt sees a beautiful blonde woman driving a white Ford Thunderbird.  She mouths the words "I love you " to Curt before turning.  Curt becomes desperate to find her; one of his friends tells him "The Blonde" is the wife of a local jeweler, but Curt does not believe it.  After leaving the hop, Curt is coerced by a group of greasers (The Pharaohs) into hooking a chain to a police car and ripping out its back axle.  The Pharaohs tell Curt that "The Blonde" is a prostitute, which he does not believe.  Curt drives to the radio station to ask disc jockey "Wolfman Jack" to read a message for her on the air. Curt encounters an employee who tells him the Wolfman does not work there and that the shows are pre-taped for replay.  The employee accepts the

 message and promises to try to have the Wolfman air it.  As he is leaving, Curt sees the employee talking into the microphone and, hearing the bout, realizes it is the Wolfman, who reads the message, asking "The Blonde" to meet Curt or call him on the pay phone at Mel's.  Curt is awakened by the phone the next morning.  "The Blonde" does not reveal her identity but tells Curt maybe they will meet that night.  Curt replies that they probably will not because he's leaving town.  Terry and John cruise the strip.  Terry picks up flirtatious and rebellious Debbie.  John inadvertently picks up Carol, an annoying, precocious 12 year old who manipulates him into driving her around all night.  Bob Falfa is searching out John to challenge him to a race.  Steve and Laurie continue to argue and make up through the evening .  They finally split and ad the story lines intertwine, Bob pickup Laurie then finds John and goads him into racing.  Many follow them to "Paradise Road" to watch.  As John takes the lead, Bob's tire blows out, causing him to lose control.  His car swerved into a ditch, rolls over and catches fire.  Steve and John leap out of their cars and rush to the wreck while Bob and Laurie crawl out and stagger away just before it explodes.  Laurie grips Steve tightly and begs him not to leave her.  He assures her that he will stay.  At the airfield, Curt gazed out the window and sees the white Thunderbird driving in parallel to his plane.  An on-screen epilogue reveals that John was killed by a drunk driver in 1964.  Terry was reported missing in action near An Loc in 1965, Steve is an insurance agent in Modesto and Curt is a writer in Canada.  American Graffiti was nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture.  American Graffiti has 41 original hits including "Rock Around the Clock ", "16 Candles", "Runaway", "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", "That'll Be the Day", "Fannie Mae", "At the Hop", "She's So Fine", "The Stroll", "See You in September ", "Surfin' Safari ", "(He's) The Great Imposter", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes ", "Little Darlin'", "Peppermint Twist-Part 1", "Barbara Ann", "The Book of Love ", "Maybe Baby", "Ya Ya", "The Great Pretender", "Ain't That a Shame", "Johnny B Goode", "I Only Have Eyes For You", "Get a Job", "To the Aisle", "Do You Want to Dance?", "Party Doll", "Come Go With Me", "You're 16", "Love Potion No. 9", "Since I Don't Have You", "Chantilly Lace", "Teen Angel", "Crying in the Chapel", "A Thousand Miles Away", "Heart and Soul", "Green Onions", "Only You (And You Alone)", "Goodnite Sweetheart, Goodnite" and "All Summer Long". Except the 3 songs "Gee", "Louie, Louie", and "Some Enchanted Evening", which were already hits. American Graffiti: the movie of the 70s, about the 60s.

 

Gardening with Lora: Festive Halloween Pumpkins with Flowers

Even though it's cold out, you can still have some gardening fun with flowers for Halloween. You can even use pumpkins or other gourds you've grown yourself. Same goes for flowers! Here are some examples:

Here's a simple idea for mini pumpkins. Just scoop out the insides and place flowers in a bunch in the little pumpkins.

 

For this one, remove the seeds and carve as if you were making a regular jack o' lanterns, but instead of a candle, fill with a floral bouquet.

 

 

I love decorating my yard with fairy gardens. This one is in a carved out pumpkin with a little graveyard scene!

This one is my favorite. The flowers are very pretty, plus I like the addition of the lace around the pumpkin, and of course my beloved chili peppers!

Arts Connections Advice #5

 

Q: I am an adult in the IDD community. I still look forward to dressing up in costume and trick or treating every year. Sometimes other people don't understand and they say mean things. How can I have a good time trick or treating and stay safe?

A: There's no rule about who can or can't trick or treat and no age limit, but some people may not understand why a grown up would still want to participate. That doesn't mean you can't, but there are a few tips to make trick or treating a better experience. One thing you can do before you even head out is to let your neighbors know ahead of time that you will be trick or treating. You can deliver notes and even a festive bag of candy to sweeten the deal. Introduce yourself and explain why you still love to trick or treat. Also, make sure you go with a responsible adult, so that they can intervene and explain your situation if anyone questions you. Make sure you stay close. Be sure to maintain a respectable distance between yourself and any children you don't know. For your costume, it's probably a good idea to stick with something that isn't too scary or disturbing. Also avoid full face masks. Let people see your smile and your eyes. Just be safe, friendly and polite so that everyone can have a good time.

If you're too nervous to go out into your neighborhood, there are often agencies that have Trunk or Treat events and Halloween parties where you can mingle with other folks in the IDD community. If you want to stay in, wear a costume to hand out candy is always a fun option.

Q: Some of the spookier and scarier elements of Halloween, like witches and vampires, make me uncomfortable. How can I still enjoy the holiday?

A: Make sure that you let the people in your life know that you don't care for scary monsters so that they can give you support. Focus on festive decorations with pumpkins and consider wearing a character costume from your favorite Disney movie. Superheroes are a good option, too. Put on your favorite silly Halloween songs, like Monster Mash and Purple People Eater and make sure you have some yummy treats on hand. Even if you can't completely avoid the scary stuff, the more you communicate with family, staff and friends, the more likely that they will honor your preferences and make it a fun holiday experience.

Mark's Movie of the Week #6: West Side Story

West Side Story 

 

Mirisch Pictures; Seven Arts Productions; United Artists; October 18, 1961; 152 minutes

Screenplay by Ernest Lehman 

Based on West Side Story; Music by Leonard Bernstein; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by Arthur Laurents

Produced by Robert Wise

Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins 

West Side Story is a 1961 American musical romantic drama film. The film is an adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical of the same title, which in turn was inspired by a William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  It stars Natalie Wood as Maria, Richard Beymer as Tony, Russ Tamblyn as Riff, Rita Moreno as Anita and George Chakiris as Bernardo, and was photographed in Super Panavision 70.  In New York City in 1957, two teenage gangs compete for control of the Upper West Side.  The Jets, a group of white teens led by Riff, brawl with the Sharks, Puerto Ricans led by Bernardo.  Lieutenant Schrank and Officer Krupke arrive and break it up.  The Jets challenge the Sharks to a rumble to be held after an upcoming dance.  Riff wants his best friend Tony, the co-founder and former member of the Jets, to fight at the rumble.  Riff invites Tony to the dance, but Tony says he senses something important is coming.  Riff suggests it could happen at the dance.  Tony finally agrees to go.  Meanwhile, Bernardo's younger sister, Maria, tells her best friend and Bernardo's girlfriend, Anita, how excited she is about the dance.  At the dance, the two gangs and their girls refuse to intermingle. Tony arrives; he and Maria fall in love instantly, but Bernardo angrily demands that Tony stay away from her.  Riff proposes a midnight meeting with Bernardo at Doc's drugstore to settle the rules for the rumble. Maria is sent home; Anita argues that Bernardo is overprotective of Maria, and they compare the advantages of Puerto Rico and the mainland United States.  Tony sneaks onto Maria's fire escape where they reaffirm their love. Krupke, who suspects the Jets are planning something, warns them not to cause trouble. The Sharks arrive, and the gangs agree to a showdown the following evening under the highway, with a one-on-one fist fight. When Schrank arrives, the gangs feign friendship. Schrank orders the Sharks out and fails to discover information about the fight. The next day at the bridal shop where they work, Anita accidentally tells Maria about the rumble. Tony arrives to see Maria. Anita, shocked, warns them about the consequences if Bernardo learns of their relationship. Maria makes Tony promise to prevent the rumble. Tony and Maria fantasize about their wedding. The gangs approach the area under the highway. Tony arrives to stop the fight, but Bernardo antagonizes him. Unwilling to watch Tony be humiliated, Riff initiates a knife fight. Tony intervenes, leading to Bernardo's death with Riff's knife, and a melee ensues. Police sirens blare, and everyone flees, leaving behind the dead body. Maria waits for Tony on the roof of her apartment building; her fiancé Chino (an arranged engagement) arrives and tells her what happened. Tony arrives and asks for Maria's forgiveness. He plans to turn himself in to the police.  Maria is devastated, but confirms her love for Tony and asks him to stay. The Jets and their new leader, Ice, reassemble outside a garage and focus on reacting to the police. Anybodys arrives and warns them that Chino is after Tony with a gun. Ice sends the Jets to warn Tony. A grieving Anita enters the apartment while Tony and Maria are in the bedroom. The lovers arrange to meet at Doc's, where they will pick up getaway money to elope. Anita spots Tony leaving through the window and chides Maria for the relationship with Bernardo's killer, but Maria convinces her to help them elope. Schrank arrives and questions Maria about the rumble. Maria sends Anita to tell Tony that Maria is detained from meeting him. When Anita reaches Doc's, the Jets harass and even try to rape her, when Doc appears and intervenes. Anita angrily lies, saying that Chino has killed Maria. Doc banishes the Jets, gives Tony his getaway money and delivers Anita's message that Maria is dead. Tony, distraught, runs into the streets, shouting for Chino to kill him, too. In the playground next to Doc's, Tony spots Maria and they run towards each other only for Chino to shoot Tony. The gangs arrive to find Maria holding Tony, who dies in her arms. Maria stops the gangs from fighting, takes the gun from Chino and threatens to shoot everyone, blaming their hate for the deaths. Schrank, Krupke and Doc arrive, and the gangs form a funeral procession, with Maria following. The police arrest Chino and lead him away. In addition to singing voices Marni Nixon, Jimmy Bryant, Tucker Smith and Betty Wand, West Side Story also stars Simon Oakland, Ned Glass and William Bramley.  West Side Story had songs like "Jet Song", "Something's Coming ", "Maria ", "America ", "Tonight ", "Gee, Officer Krupke", "I Feel Pretty ", " One Hand, One Heart ","Somewhere ", "Cool", and "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love ".  West Side Story was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, and won 10 Oscars including Best Picture (Robert Wise), Best Director (Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins), Best Supporting Actor (George Chakiris), Best Supporting Actress (Rita Moreno), Best Art Direction-Color (Boris Leven and Victor A. Gangelin), Best Cinematography-Color(Daniel L. Fapp), Best Costume Design-Color (Irene Sharaff), Best Film Editing (Thomas Stanford), Best Scoring of a Musical Picture (Saul Chaplin, Johnny Green, Irwin Kostal and Sid Ramin) and Best Sound (Fred Hynes and Gordon E. Sawyer); and Jerome Robbins for his Academy Honorary Award. West Side Story was one of the true musical of the 1960s.