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Sunday, April 29, 2007

It's Been So Long...

...at least it seems like a while since I last posted. I'm really enjoying the awesome weather but can feel that sweet kiss of humidity. Is summer here?

Had lunch at A&J's Blues Cafe on Friday and my review will be coming in a couple of weeks. But the short version is: YUMMY!

Thursday, April 19, 2007

OMG! Tomorrow's Friday!

Where, o'where has the week gone? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Fridays (who doesn't?). It means I can sleeeeep in on Saturday. Anywho...

If you're into sports, and come on. This is Tallahassee, who ISN'T into sports? The Tallahassee Titans need your support. They seem to be in a bit of a financial pickle and are asking fans to help fill the seats at the Civic Center Friday night and show their support. I heard on the radio each seat is only $10.

Something I won't be attending over the weekend (well, we'll see) is LeMoyne's Chain of Parks Art Festival April 21 & 22. Why am I not planning on stopping by? I spent TOO much money last year buying a beautiful "princess ring" (which reminds me, I think I'll wear it tomorrow) and some pottery. The artists who exhibit are local and from throughout the country.

Did anyone see the piece on WCTV tonight about the homeless man who's been riding his bike across the U.S. to raise awareness about Hurricane Katrina homelessness? You really need to read the story here. He's on his way to South Carolina with his pooch, which rides in a little cart behind the bike.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Gyrate, Shake and Pump It Up to Get in Shape

Tallahassee ladies - do you know of all the cool ways to get in shape around here? Other than awesome walks in the area, there are the standard gyms, but have you tried a women's-only gym? Or, how about shimmying those hips while learning to belly dance? Better yet, find your inner sexy kitten and get fit with a little exotic dancing (you can even pole dance!) Check out my latest article about ways women in Tallahassee can get in shape.

Review: Sumo Sabi Rolls & Bowls

Yummy! Sushi! I finally headed over the Sumo Sabi Rolls & Bowls to see what they have to offer. I have to say, not bad. Check out my review.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Voyeuristic Foodies Will Love This!

Save the date and get your aprons out! On May 5, 2007 the Junior League of Tallahassee presents the 2007 Cook's Tour of Kitchens 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is when it's OK to peek into those homes you always wondered what they looked like inside, at least the ones on the tour. I wonder if it's OK to peek in the drawers?

The tour will feature the latest in entertaining, groovy kitchen gadgets and cooking techniques.

Tickets are $20 when purchased in advance. They can also be purchased at the participating homes. For ticket information and specific info (like the list of homes), call the Junior League of Tallahassee at (850) 224-9161.

What Did You Do Over the Weekend?

There was soooo much going on in Tally last weekend, it was difficult to choose which to do. From eco-fairs to worm gruntin' in Sopchoppy, I ended up at the Florida Wine Festival on Saturday. I'm not a wine diva (although I proudly wear the shirt), I do appreciate learning about wine.

I had read that 5,000 traditionally attend the Saturday event, but I'm not sure if that many showed up on April 14. I arrived just after the celebrity grape stomping (damn!) so I missed that. Some dude was handing out flyers to look at a giant colon (to raise colon cancer awareness), but I never got to see it.

But, I did sample some of the wines. My favorite Florida winery wasn't there, Schnebly in Redland's, Florida (my own stomping grounds) but I think I found a couple of favorites closer to Tallahassee. [Note: to appreciate most Florida wine, you need to be a fan of sweet wines].

Sea Breeze Winery in Panama City Beach, doled out all sorts of samplings of their luscious wine, including Blueberry, Blackberry and Island Red. I left with a bottle of Blackberry and Island Red. Blackberry is pretty self-explanatory and Island Red, as described on the flyer is "the new taste of the South." It's made with muscadine grapes and is a full-bodied sweet and acidic red.

The other winery I enjoyed was the Panama City Beach Winery. They were giving out samples of a couple of spirits but once I heard they had "Hurricane Class 5 Florida White Sangria," they grabbed my attention. Pure wine connoisseurs probably won't appreciate the sweet, refreshing flavor of pineapple, watermelon, passion fruit, key lime and mango all fused together. I left with one bottle.

I definitely need to get out to their winery for a tasting because other wines they make include: Chocolate, Coconut, Carrot and Tomato. With flavors that bizarre, they deserve a sampling!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

What a Kid Can Do with a Dream: Film Camp this Summer

This summer, the next Spike Lee, Halle Barry or Cass Henderson will be discovered during a film camp called Reel Dreamz. This not-for-profit organization will teach the basics of film making, from acting to writing and directing to editing and everything in between to Leon County and surrounding area children ages 10 - 17.

Reel Dreamz was born from the success of Double Vision Pictures founders, Cass Henderson and Kenaya Edghill. Think of it as a "pay it forward" camp. Double Vision Pictures seeks to gain positive exposure for women in the film industry and so far, the movie trail has been good to the duo. They're giving back to the community with this film camp.

Reel Dreamz's goal is to expose underprivileged children to the creative film environment and help them tap their imagination.

  • Class sizes will be limited to 20 students, are FREE (my favorite thing) and everything needed for the films will be provided. Registration opened January 1, 2007 and closes April 30, 2007 (SOON!)
  • The 10-week film camp begins June 9, meeting on Saturdays.
  • There is a household income cap of $50,000.
  • How cool is this opportunity? Do you know a creative kid who could benefit from this program?
For more information and registration, visit: www.doublevisionpic.com.

Reel Dreamz
PO Box 604
Tallahassee, FL 32302
Tel: (850) 264-2346
info@doublevisionpics.com

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Tallahassee Doll Camp at the Knott House: June 11 - 15, 2007

If you have children in the third or fourth grade, consider the Museum of Florida History's Tallahassee Doll Camp at the Knott House this summer.

I was never one to play with girly dolls, I had the Bionic Woman and Wonder Woman dolls and played Johnny West with the boys when growing up. But, I'm sure I would have been welcomed
at Tallahassee Doll Camp when I was a wee one. Here are the details:

Dates: June 11 - 15, 2007
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Knott House Museum, use east-side entrance
Participants: Children entering third and fourth grade
Cost: $135 for members; $150 for members
Lunch: Pack a brown bag lunch. Lemonade and cookies will be provided at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Make checks payable to: Friends of the Museums of Florida History.

What to expect at Tallahassee Doll Camp:
Learn what life was like in the 1930s with period clothing, games and music.
Create an outfit for a doll and write a story about the doll's life in Tallahassee.
Ice cream social (!!!) and share the doll's story with parents on the camp's last day.

For more information: (850) 922–2459 or bwcotellis@dos.state.fl.us

Dance in the Streets this Saturday at the Knott House

Get those dancing shoes out for a swinging good time Saturday, April 14 outside the Knott House. Can't Swing Dance? Lessons begin at 6:30 p.m. and the main dancing begins at 7:00 'til 9:00 p.m.

Park Ave. between Calhoun and Gadsden St. will be closed for this 1940s style street dance.

For more info call: (850) 922–2459

The event is sponsored by Embarq and Pauline Hurst and the Tallahassee Swing Dancers

Oh! Almost forgot, the event is FREE!

Monday, April 09, 2007

What Are You Doing in Tally This Weekend? April 13 - 15, 2007

Got plans for the weekend? If not, how about:

The Mary Brogan Museum of Art & Science's 5th Annual Florida Wine Festival, April 12 - 14, 2007. There's apparently a fee for the Friday night event - sip wine from a handful of wineries and sample food from Tallahassee's best restaurants. But, if you're looking for a cheap evening (that would be me), Saturday night is FREE. This includes a morning grape stomping by local celebs, musical performances and lectures focusing on good eats and vino.

Any birders around? Check out the Pinewoods Bird Festival at Pebble Hill Plantation April 13 - 15. While activities are each day, most events are on Saturday, including wagon rides!

And what better way to spend Friday the 13th than experiencing "Rocky Horror Picture Show." April 13 & 14, the Tallahassee Film Society presents the flick at my FAVE Tally movie Theatre, Starplex Cinema (aka: almost a dollar theater). Not sure of the cost to see RHP, though.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

What's Up with the Paintings Around Town?

Has anyone else noticed the paintings randomly placed around Tallahassee? I've seen them nailed to trees and utility poles but don't understand if they mean something collectively or just enjoy them individually?

Is it the work of an artistic college student? A starving artist? A rogue group of gang members with a new definition of graffiti?

While I don't understand the paintings, yet, I actually like them...

More Cool Things in Tallahassee

After about two years here in Tallahassee, I'm still trying to figure out where I fit in. I have to admit the community is a kitsch mix of old-Floridian tradition with college-capital culture.

I mean, there's the flea market on Capital Circle where you can buy things like guns, bows with arrows, chickens, jewelry and produce.

Then there's the kitsch, whimsical folk art of Mary Proctor. Have you visited her yet? Head south on Monroe and look to the left - the glittery sparkle from the junk yard is eye-catching. Don't be afraid to visit. Ms. Proctor is a lovely woman and passionate about her art.

Of course, there's the powerful draw of the area's universities. Last night I saw Spike Lee lecture at Ruby Diamond Auditorium (pictured). Even though I've been outta school for oh, too many years, he was inspirational. Hope you enjoy my take on the evening.

What's coming up in Tally?
The First Friday Gallery Hop is this weekend (already?!?!). Tomas Eads Art (www.thomaseadsfineart.com) will host a reception 6 - 9:00 p.m. with the Still Lifes exhibit of Noah Verrier. The gallery describes the still lifes as: "Simple in composition, economically rendered, and beautifully illuminated."

Learned "The Full Monty" playing at the Tallahassee Little Theatre April 12 - 14 at 8:00 p.m. and April 15 & 22 at 2:00 p.m. I haven't seen this on the stage but the movie had me laughing hysterically. I just wonder how they will show the full monty?????

Big Bend Hospice presents "Wind in the Willows" on Thursday, April 12 at the Quincy Music Theatre. It's a benefit performance in memory of Dr. Jessie Furlow:

"Wind in the Willows"
Quincy Music Theatre
118 E. Washington Street
Quincy, FL
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2007
Reception: 6:30 p.m.
Benefit Performance: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 general admission
For tickets and information: (850) 701-1341 or www.qmtonline.com