Don't say I didn't warn you, "American Idol" fans.
After being a stay-at-home mom for several years, then going through the aching process of dissolving a marriage, Cindy Nieves had a calling to do something more with her life.
Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's premiere fundraising event of the year. The Muscogee County event will take place from 7 tonight through 7 a.m. Saturday at Kinnett Stadium.
On Tuesday night, before the opening night of this season's final event, "Mama Mia!," the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts announced the schedule for the 2012-2013 season.
Even if you've been exercising all year, there are special precautions that need to be taken in the hot, humid summer months.
So close, yet so far.
The average household spends more than $2,200 per year on energy bills, with roughly half of that going to heat and cool a home, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data.
Heather Cannon's plan is to spend this Mother's Day surrounded by her husband, Sterling, and her three energetic children: Lane, 6, Wylie, 4, and Isabel, who just turned 1. They'll go to church at St. Andrew's Presbyterian and have a family meal, perhaps with Heather's mother. "I just want us to be together," Cannon said recently.
Growth for Ambassadors of Christ Fellowship used to mean tearing down walls. Now, it means putting them up.
In 2010 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new type of therapy for people suffering from major depressive disorder -- transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS.
Jeff Galloway wants to prove your P.E. teacher wrong.
One photo shows a little girl sitting at a table and smiling in a black-and-white shot, probably a half-century old, its image marred by creases, scratches and chips.
Good manners can take you far, says Yolanda Chambers. "Etiquette takes you a long way in life," she said. "It builds character." Chambers took her 15-year-old son, Jay, to The Georgia Protocol Academy's Mom, Manners and Me program last year. Participants spend a Saturday learning how to introduce themselves, interviewing skills and dining etiquette.
In case this season of "American Idol" has become a never-ending Adele cover in your memory, I'll remind you that we're down to five singers. Here's a quick primer on the final five. Tune in at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday on Fox.
The road that has brought Sylvia Mercedes Trelles to this stage in her career as a freelance translator or interpreter has been a long and winding one.
Once a month Pastor Tanya Bryant takes her ministry out of the church and into the community.
Get the latest updates on entertainment options by signing up to receive a free email newsletter each Friday.
Army wives offer stylish travel tips, Walkers share their reasons for joining Relay for Life and adoption makes family complete.
"Feed Your Best Friend Better." Sounds like a pretty good idea, right?
Francye Largeman and her family watch "The Antiques Roadshow" every week. When Largeman found out the show was coming to Atlanta (actually in the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport), the Hamilton resident bought tickets for herself and her husband, Joseph, a dentist in Columbus.
Curiosity. Problem solver. Attention to detail. A good teacher -- and listener.
Columbus State University student Ama Trear wanted to hold a children's concert with no rules. Kids could clap their hands, sing, yell, dance, run around the room or just sit and listen.
It might be said that John Allen was born and bred to be a "bug man."
George Del Gobbo, conductor and music director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, said he chooses the music for the season first and then he looks for guest artists who excel at playing that music.
Five years ago, Brooks Rice was working his butt off as owner of the Loco's Grill & Pub on 13th Street in Columbus. Extremely long hours didn't equate to nearly enough income to offset the stress of running a restaurant day in and day out.
Eight-year-old Tori Svenson loves fashion, putting together outfits and dressing up. She wants to design her own clothes when she grows up and one of her first projects would be a "fashionable" hospital gown, says her mother Penny.
Driving through downtown Eufaula sometimes feels like stepping back in time.
Just like Uncle Sam, the American Red Cross needs you. And that need never ever stops.
Learning to drive is a milestone for any 16-year-old. For Julianna Russell, reaching it just took a little more effort. Russell was born with spina bifida, a congenital disorder that caused her spine not to be fully developed at birth. She's had multiple surgeries to correct the defect, but still has difficulty walking and sometimes has to use a wheelchair. When she got in a car for her first driving lesson, she discovered that she didn't have enough feeling in her legs to operate the gas and brake pedals without looking at her feet.
NEW YORK -- From the moment "Mad Men" debuted, the stylized AMC drama about the men and women who work in Madison Avenue advertising in the 1960s has been a tastemaker favorite.
Tina Sager laughs as she says it was a moment of insanity that made her agree to open up her house to strangers for Sunday’s Fort Benning Tour of Homes.
The famed musical is performed Friday (March 23) at the RiverCenter's Bill Heard Theatre. The show stars John Preece as Tevye, the father who wants to marry off his daughters. Preece has played the role in 3,500 performances on 10 national tours.
The Columbus Museum’s week-long fundraiser Let There Be Art! kicks off March 17th with Art After Dark, a preview party and gala where guests get an advance look at the art created by local and regional artists that will be available for purchase through March 25. The Art Show is open to the public Sunday, March 18 through Sunday, March 25. Entrance to the museum is free, as always, and guests can view and purchase art that week.
When Facebook told me to say hello to my former editor, it probably didn't know he was dead.
The season for 5K races is upon us and in addition to being a healthy activity to enjoy with friends and family, these races often raise money for a good cause.
Gayle Lemmon, author of "The Dressmaker of Khair Khana" and former ABC news reporter, will speak at 12:30 p.m. Thursday (March 22) at Columbus State University's University Hall auditorium. The event is part of CSU's 2012 Hunter Lecture Series.
Early in her career, Nancy Strickland was a road warrior.
Re-nesting. The Boomerang Generation. Failure to launch.
When Jim Johnson came to the United Congregational Christian Church in 1985, it was in need of some minor repairs -- patching the front door, painting the front steps and changing the light bulbs.
About 125 children will participate in today’s One Block, One Vision youth mission
To go to the midnight premiere of “The Hunger Games” or not to go?
The 15th annual Thunder in the Valley, with the theme “Xtreme Thunder” is Saturday and Sunday (March 17-18): Gates open at 10 a.m.; pre-show is noon-1 p.m.; the show is 1-5 p.m. at Columbus Airport, 3250 W. Britt David Road. Tickets cost $8 in advance, $10 at the gate; $6 in advance for military personnel, $8 at the gate for military personnel; free for children 6 and younger. Parking is $10 for parking at the airport, $5 for parking at Walmart. Information: 706-393-3000.
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus is presenting “Paddy Goes to Sea: Irishmen in the Civil War” Saturday.
Steinway Piano Mania! features three CSU students and piano professor Alexander Kobrin performing at 4 p.m. Sunday (March 18) at Legacy Hall, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway. Tickets: $25. Information: 706-649-7225.
Tonight's Sculpture Walk begins at 5 p.m. at the CB&T courtyard at 1112 Broadway. Tonight's walk is called "A Tribute To Goddard." Guided tours will also be Saturday (March 24) and March 31 at 2 p.m. The tours are free.
The Snakebite Six is back. I’ve known some of the guys in this Dixieland jazz band for quite a while.
Timing is everything, right?
Buy yourself some green food coloring and color your favorite treats for St. Patrick’s Day.
I’ll soon face some of my toughest critics.
Timothy Porter toiled 16 years in the banking world. Specifically, he worked his way up the ranks with Synovus Financial Corp., ultimately becoming a risk management executive.
The headline was too tempting to resist.
Want to test out your green thumb this spring but are worried about having enough space to plant? You don’t need a big yard to have a garden, says Caroline Castle. She’s grown lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes and peppers from containers at her house.
Life has become complicated at Simplified Church.
Balletomane (a fancy word for someone who loves ballet) Myriam Hallock has seen ballet all over the world.
Columbus State University hosts the 2012 Women’s Leadership Conference Tuesday-Wednesday (March 13-14) with a goal of helping women become more courageous leaders at work, at home and in their communities.
We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day a little early this year. The Dropkick Murphys, an Irish punk band based out of Boston, played in Atlanta Tuesday night and for the first time my husband and I attended a show together.
Watch the Harlem Globetrotters 2012 World Tour at 7 p.m. Tuesday (March 13) at The Columbus Civic Center. Tickets cost $22.50-$64.50 for courtside seats. These 2012 Globetrotters feature a class of diverse rookie players, including Paul “Tiny” Sturgess of Loughborough, England, who stands 7-feet, 8-inches and is the tallest basketball player in the professional sport. Jonte “Too Tall” Hall is the shortest Globetrotter on record at 5-feet 2 inches, and Fatima “TNT” Maddox of Temple University is the first female teammate since 1993.
A lawyer, doctor and a disc jockey walked into a performance arts hall.
It’s a Columbus mystery.
I got a call from a friend of mine, Jerry Fleischer a couple of weeks ago. He’s a dear friend and I love him and his wife, Judy. Jerry’s a psychologist, not that I’ve ever needed his services, of course.
With spring just around the corner, many people are likely considering some type of change.
What do Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Captain America and the Green Lantern have in common?
If you hear music and slightly out-of-tune singing coming from my apartment, keep walking. There’s no karaoke party. That’s just me.
The work and life of a Columbus-born author is getting the film treatment.
The work and life of a Columbus-born author is getting the film treatment. Robert Clem, a filmmaker from Mobile, Ala., is working on a movie about Augusta Jane Evans Wilson and her most famous novel, “St. Elmo,” titled “The Passion of Miss Augusta.” Clem said his interest in Wilson began after he discovered he might be related to the author. The more research he did, the more fascinated he became.
The Rev. Jeff Struecker says a lot of local churches consider themselves to be military friendly but most are not doing nearly enough for soldiers and their families.
Hand-painted bowls filled with soup are served at Sunday’s Empty Bowl Lunch. For $10, each guest receives a meal and an original bowl he or she can take home.
I first heard about Brennan Daigle shortly after he died.
Grammy-winning country music trio Lady Antebellum comes to the Columbus Civic Center for a concert that will also feature country acts Darius Rucker and Thompson Square. Show starts at 7 p.m. Saturday (March 3). A few tickets at the $59.50 price level remain. 706-653-4460. Reminder: Strobe lighting will be used throughout the Lady Antebellum show, promoters say
Love and baseball are on the Springer Opera House stage this weekend with the Tony Award-winning musical "Damn Yankees" being performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (March 16-17). Tickets cost $15-$38. 706-327-3688.
It takes four groups of singers -- Brucknerchor, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert -- to make up the Vienna Boys Choir which brings its Austrian tradition and sound to the RverCenter at 7:30 p.m. Sunday (March 4). Tickets cost $10-$47. Information: 706-256-3612.
Since 2001, “Menopause The Musical,” has made women erupt into gales of laughter. The show, written by Jeanie Linders, celebrates women and “the change,” which includes hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges.
When the 2012-13 Springer Opera House season begins in September, Paul Pierce will have spent 25 years of his life here in Columbus.
With a very mild winter season coming to a close, it’s no wonder folks in the Columbus area are already getting spring fever.
A generation or so ago, women were clamoring to get out of their home kitchens. Now, men are working to get in. And not just any guys, mind you, but some of the top male chefs, restaurateurs and TV cooking stars -- the men who’ve made their money and reputations toiling at big, bad restaurant stoves.
This year’s fifth annual Rosa Parks Women of Courage Breakfast is honoring four women in medicine. Event chairperson Lisa Thomas-Cutts said that each year they honor women from different fields in the community, who are selected through a nominations committee.
Blair Brown is riding around the grounds of All-American Recycling Inc. in a golf cart when two men enter the business pushing a shopping cart filled with rusted pieces of iron pipe.
Two weeks ago, when I told my sister I was coming home for a visit she said, “Great! You can visit my new gym and come to Zumba class with me.”
‘Red Tails,” a recent film by George Lucas, chronicles the struggles of the first group of black aviators in the U.S. military during World War II.
Nick Cash keeps the index cards, hundreds of them, in small plastic baskets in his office. The cards are in separate stacks held together by rubber bands. The information on them is significant.
Columbus brothers John and Don McLemore want to incorporate their cooking skills into a TV show and they’re looking for Columbus home cooks who want to become TV stars, too.
It’s cold and dark. I’m bundled up in some kind of fur coat, in a house I don’t recognize and I’m searching for a cat.
Springer Opera House leaders focused on audience growth when determining which shows to perform in the 2012-13 season.
Barnum Bash, presented by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performs at the Columbus Civic Center at 7 p.m. Friday (Feb. 24); 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 25) and 2 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 26). Tickets cost $15-$30; opening night seats in upper and lower levels are $10 (excluding VIP). Contact: 706-653-4460. Pre-show: One hour prior to show time, all ticket holders are invited down to the floor to interact with circus performers and take a rare back-stage tour.
Less than a year ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a roller derby league in Columbus.
Watching Sunday’s Academy Awards will definitely make me crave popcorn.
There is an inextricable link between your emotional health and your physical health.
It’s Mardi Gras and you need plans. I can help -- and yes, there will be beads.
They’ve called her the “Lapper Lady” for more than five years. Ashley Hatcher -- a former pharmaceutical representative -- turned entrepreneur in late 2006 when she created a line of colorful, non-slip dinner trays for small gift shops in hopes of taking them to the masses one day.
Mary Johnson learned to read from Wonder Woman.
Pastor Jay Bailey of Solid Rock Church in Columbus is concerned about Israel and the Jewish people who live there. “We are living in a very urgent time,” he said this week. “Antisemitism is growing everywhere, especially on college campuses. We saw growth in the 30s and 40s. It culminated in the Holocaust and six million Jews died.” Of Israel, he said, “It has a population of about eight million and is surrounded by 600 million Arabs, many of whom, are hostile toward Israel.” He called it a “tense situation.”
Terri Roberts, director of volunteer services at Columbus Hospice, Inc., believes hospice patients have a better quality of life when they can be with their pets.
Music and movies have a beautifully symbiotic relationship, feeding off of and enhancing the experience of each medium.
Riverdance, the Irish dance extravaganza, stops by the RiverCenter on Saturday (Feb. 18) as part of its final North American tour. The show is at 7:30 p.m. at the Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway. Tickets cost $35-$55. Information: 706-256-3612.
Carson McCullers' birthday celebration activities are based on the book, “February House: The Story of W.H. Auden, Carson McCullers, Jane and Paul Bowles, Benjamin Britten and Gypsy Rose Lee, Under One Roof in Wartime America,” written by Sherill Tippins. From 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday (Feb. 17) at the Smith-McCullers House, 1519 Stark Ave., guests can have birthday cake with Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, who shares the birthday with McCullers. From 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 18) readings and screenings will be held at the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road. Events are free. Information: 706-565-4021.
The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus is holding its second “Black in Blue: African Americans in the Civil War Navies” program Saturday in honor of Black History Month.
My theater friends are doing well.
Oranges aren’t just for making juice and lemons are just for making lemonade. Citrus fruits make great snacks, flavor dishes and add zest to syrups and teas.
If last night’s Valentine’s celebration didn’t meet your expectations -- or those of your significant other -- plan an evening of food and fun for an upcoming weekend.
The LifeLink Foundation wants you to consider giving a gift today, but what they’re asking for isn’t a box of chocolates or roses.
"So, what makes you an expert?”
Michael Wright would concede it’s been a rough journey for his jewelry career and personal life.
How do you know when it’s time to leave home?
Nathan and Allison Setka’s date nights don’t revolve around dinner and a movie. Instead, the couple goes to yoga class. “We were just one day looking for a date idea that didn’t involve food,” Allison said. They signed up for Art of Yoga’s Detox workshop, a class that combines yoga with a healthy diet program. Nathan said his wife likes exercise focused on rehabilitation, while his workouts tend be more aggressive. The yoga classes combine fitness and meditation.
Denise Cambridge of Columbus says the “Getting Ahead” program at the Open Door Community House is about changing the mind-set of its participants from surviving to thriving.
The Phenix City Parks & Recreation Performing Arts Series kicks off Saturday with a performance of “Jerry & Blue” at the Central Activities Center.
If you thought the excitement for The Twilight Saga’s “Breaking Dawn -- Part 1” was over after its theatrical premiere, you’d be wrong.
If you’re interested in running, but don’t know where to start, Carolee Luther can help.
Call a date and plan for a lovely Valentine’s Day as area restaurants prepare creative menus for romantic couples and single friends who are looking to celebrate.Local chefs will offer dinners from elegant cuisines to hearty surf ’n turf, but nothing says Valentine’s Day like champagne and chocolate. Enjoy a chocolate strawberry dessert at Caffe Amici or chocolate with raspberry coulis at the Wynn House. B Merrell’s will offer a chocolate-covered cherry shot as one of three special drinks for the evening. Sip free champagne at Buckhead Grill while you wait for a table or start early with a Kick in the Berries chocolate porter at the Cannon Brewpub. For couples who love live jazz with their dessert, the Alex Peshounin Jazz Project performs for the Ray of Hope Reverse Raffle -- an Evening of Champagne and Chocolate with Chef Jamie Keating at the RiverView Room in the RiverMill Event Centre. A $100 donation ticket for two benefits The Family Center youth programs, and gives you a chance to win a $10,000 grand prize. The Family Center operates the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program, and Families and Schools Together, an after school program at local elementary schools.
JJ and Kate Musgrove found the inspiration for their new Sherlock’s Mystery Dinner Theatre show “Spy Games!” while watching episodes of the 1960s TV series “Get Smart.” Performances are at 6:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through March at the Columbus Marriott Hotel, 800 Front Ave. Tickets cost $48.50, includes dinner and show; must be reserved 48 hours in advance. Information: 706-604-5634 or sherlockscolumbus.com
Shannon Mullen stars in "Rock of Ages" on Wednesday and Thursday at the RiverCenter’s Bill Heard Theatre stage. The show tells a turbulent love story told through 1980s music. It's performed 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-16. Tickets: $39.50-$49.50. Information: 706-256-3612.
With a father who played piano and a mother who danced, Joe Gransden’s childhood home was full of music.
The Springer Opera House is constantly trying out new things, and one of the most innovative is Springer Institute.
The Columbus Museum hosts its first Battle of the Band competition Saturday.
Many of you will opt for an evening out to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but if you want an indulgent at-home meal, prepare surf-and-turf.
Indulge in a delicious chocolate treat with your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day.
The St. Francis Heart Truth for Women Luncheon, which is Tuesday, Feb. 14, is a way to educate women about heart disease, the number one killer of women, said Amy Adams, administrative director of marketing and communications at St. Francis Hospital.
Somewhere between the single mom and the guy whose dad went to rehab, I hit my breaking point.
Approaching two decades in the banking sector, it was in 2008 as the Great Recession was materializing that Gordy Pease went to work looking for a second career.
I discovered a new term last week: Hate-reading.
Judy Forte remembers when she heard about Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in Memphis, Tenn. She was 11 years old and her parents told her about it before she went to school that day.
Kevin R. Dunn recalls he was sitting in his car at a traffic light when God spoke the word to him that would change his life.
“Hospice,” said the voice.The year was 2002. Dunn was seeking a place to sing on a volunteer basis. A nursing home or hospital was what he had in mind.“A hospice was somewhere I did not want to be,” he said. “I’m very compassionate. I knew I would get close to people and they would eventually pass. But I heard this voice and felt that was the direction God wanted me to go.”
With winter vegetables in full harvest and the blossoms of spring right around the corner, there’s plenty for gardeners to do. It’s the ideal time to prune, plan and prepare the yard for the coming season.
There is a small scar on my left hand that represents the point of insertion of the first and only IV I’ve ever been administered. Every time it catches my eye, I’m reminded of why it’s there.
Sharpen those shears and ready the trimmers, it’s time to get the yard in shape for spring. The Columbus Botanical Gardens is offering two hands-on workshops in February to help gardeners get their landscape off to a healthy start.
Connie Castanzo plays curious, rambunctious Ramona in a play based on author Beverly Cleary’s character in “Ramona Quimby,” which comes to the RiverCenter at 7 p.m. Friday (Feb. 3) Tickets: $5-$15. Information: 706-256-3612.
“Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom” explores what happens when video game characters come to life and attack teenage gamers. Columbus State University student actors performing in the play hope it will raise issues about the addictive nature of today’s online horror video games.
There are a lot of things to do, arts-wise, in the new few weeks, and if you want to go, you might want to buy tickets now.
The Soweto Gospel Choir, which performs African gospel, spiritual songs, reggae and American popular music, as well as traditional South African songs, performs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 7) at Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway. Tickets: $10-$59. Information: 706-256-3612.
Despite the wide array of ways we can feel, look and live better, one thing rings true. Most of our January resolutions are so extreme that they have very little staying power when February arrives.
Sunday’s Super Bowl is in Indianapolis, the capital of my home state. If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party this weekend, consider incorporating some authentic Hoosier dishes into your party menu.
During its 11 years, the Columbus Health Department’s Health Expo has provided services for more than 12,000 people and performed more than 44,000 screenings, said Mark Ellis, one of the Expo’s event planners and the health promotions coordinator for the West Central Health District.
For a moment, step outside the box -- as in, the Redbox movie rental kiosk.
It might be fair to say that Iris Boyd has a hot job in a growth industry that currently shows no signs of slowing even amid a sluggish economy continuing to emerge from a Great Recession.
If you grew up in the late ’80’s and ’90’s, chances are you had a favorite animated Disney movie, and chances are it featured a princess (If your favorite animated film was “The Lion King,” skip to the bottom of this column).
When Lucas Shaffer bought his iPad, he was only thinking about playing games. “It started out as a personal device,” Shaffer said. “I wanted to be able to be entertained by Angry Birds.” That changed when he started taking it to meetings with clients and staff at his small business, Stand and Stretch. There was an immediate “cool factor,” he said.
Valley Interfaith Promise in Columbus provides shelter, meals, transportation, and support services to homeless families with children. Last year, 15 families were helped. Currently, there are none in the program.
Shop for antique furniture, estate jewelry, Persian rugs and pillows, art and collectibles at the Fourth annual Uptown Columbus Antique Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and Sunday at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Ave.
Sharon Collins is a self-professed geek when it comes to the topics she covers as host of “Georgia Outdoors” on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Oh, the debates that can be had about higher education!
This year’s Jewish Film Festival features two feature films and two documentaries.
A lot has happened in Blake Shelton’s life since his last visit to Columbus two years ago.
Dia Frampton is why you can’t entirely hate reality TV talent competitions.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld does stand-up comedy at 7 p.m. Friday at Bill Heard Theatre at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway. Tickets cost $35-$72. Information: 706-256-3612.
Interviews between Richard Nixon and British talk-show host David Frost are explored on the Springer Opera House stage at 7:30 p.m. tonight-Saturday (Feb. 3-4) at Springer Opera House, 103 10th St. Tickets cost $15-$35. Information: 706-327-3688. The play takes place three years after Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign from office. He wants to remake his image and chooses British interviewer David Frost for a television interview.
The Fourth annual Uptown Columbus Antique Show, featuring antique furniture, French antiques, estate jewelry, Persian rugs and pillows, antique art and collectibles is today (Jan. 27) through Sunday (Jan. 29). Times are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The Columbus Convention & Trade Center is at 801 Front Ave. Tickets cost $3. Information: 706-570-4030.
Angie Ward, originally from Columbus, now travels the world as China Doll of the Platters.
Nutritionist Susan Levin has challenged Southern cooking diva Paula Deen to change her diet to improve her health. Last week Deen confirmed rumors that she had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Levin and other nutritionists and doctors at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine want Deen to join their 21-day Vegan Kickstart program.
This sauce is so simple that it has become a tried and true stand-by for me -- and it’s always a hit. Maple syrup, brown sugar and mustard blend with the pan juices to make a succulent sauce for the sauteed pork chops. The sauce is great with pork, ham, turkey or chicken. Warm it on its own and serve with any of these cooked meats or use it as a dipping sauce. It can be served hot or at room temperature.
It’s not science fiction, but when people first hear about the concept of robotic surgery, that is generally where their imagination takes them.
I don’t own a foam finger.
From his store safe, Money Mizer owner Robbie Whitten pulls out a large gold ring topped with diamonds. The words “National Champions” on the side tell you what really makes it special.
Next time you decide to go grocery shopping in pajama pants, remember: I’m judging you.
When Kristen Bundy moved to Columbus in 2010, one of her factors for choosing a place to live was her bike.
Biblical scholar Joel Hoffman focuses on original definitions of words used in the Bible
The film tells the story of Georgia farmers through the eyes of 20 young farmers, ages 23 to 38.
I don’t seek out awards shows, but when they’re on, I get sucked in.
“How I Became a Pirate,” based on the popular children’s picture book, is performed by CSU students at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Jan. 20), 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 21) and 2 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 22) at Columbus State University, Riverside Theater Complex, 6 W. 10th St. Tickets cost $5-$10. Box office: 706-507-8444.
The Snakepit goes to the dogs for Canine Weekend Saturday (Jan.21) and and Sunday (Jan. 22) at the Columbus Cottonmouths hockey matches. Weiner Dog Races for dachshunds will be at the first intermission of the 7:30 p.m. Saturday game against the Knoxville Ice Bears; happy hour is 6:30-8 p.m. and features $2 Bud Light. Open dog races for any breed (dogs must weigh less than 20 pounds) will be at the first intermission of the 4 p.m. Sunday game against the Mississippi River Kings. Hockey is at Columbus Civic Center, 400 Fourth St. Tickets cost $12-$28. Information: 706-571-0086.
When Alexander Kobrin was competing in the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Festival, the Fort Worth media began calling him the Undertaker.
Wow! It’s been a season of young professionals either coming to Columbus visiting their families, working here or calling to let me know what they’re doing.
Have you ever been to a party where dips weren’t served? Me, neither. They’re mainstays at gatherings, and they’ve come a long way from the days of sour cream mixed with packaged soup or salad dressing mixes.
Whether you’re watching NFL playoff games this weekend, getting ready for the Super Bowl or awaiting March Madness, it’s always a good idea to have some party recipes ready.
Even though people tend to associate the common cold and influenza with the literally cold season of winter, Susan Harp, the infection control coordinator for Columbus Regional Healthcare Systems, said that catching one of these respiratory illnesses has less to do with the weather and more to do with how humans behave during colder seasons.
I know why you hate “American Idol.”
Shilpa Vernekar is a long way from home. But she takes a very philosophical view about the distance from Mumbai, India, to Phenix City.
Got your nose in a book again?
Every January, when Yolonda Phillips teaches her first-graders at Phenix City Elementary about Martin Luther King Jr., the students recognize King’s picture but they also have a lot of questions.
Special events for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend begin today and continue through Monday.
Dr. Sandra McCann achieves childhood goal of becoming a medical missionary; she and her doctor husband work in Africa
Edward C. Smith, who plays “Mister” in “The Color Purple” at Wednesday’s RiverCenter show, knew as a child that he wanted to be an actor but his journey to the stage spanned decades.
I didn’t get it at first.
It’s just a site where people post stuff they like, right?
Professional Bull Riders stampede into Columbus Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Jan. 13) and Saturday (Jan. 14). Cost is $12.50-$42.50. Details: 706-653-4460. There’s a Harper & Harper Stick Horse Rodeo at 5 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 14). Kids 7 and younger can participate. The event is a simulation of a real rodeo or bull riding. It’s $7 to enter, free to watch. You can register on the day of the event.
When it comes to a musical obsession with B.B. King, the thrill is hardly gone. B.B. King, with opening acts the Neal Lucas Band and Peggy Jenkins performs at 7:30 p.m. Sunday (Jan.15) at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Tickets cost $42.50-$52.50. Details: 706-256-3612. Reminder: There’s a buy two tickets, get two tickets free deal today (Jan. 13). It’s available for all seating levels, but you must buy your tickets at the RiverCenter box office.
Lindsay-Elizabeth Hand, a theater major at Columbus State University who was then known as just Lindsay Hand, now lives in New York City and is pursuing a career in theater.
“H.M.S. Pinafore,” the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, is billed as a good show for the nonopera lover. It pokes fun at the British class system and is packed full of humor. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. today (Jan. 13) and 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 15) at Studio Theatre, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway. Tickets cost $15. Information: 706-256-3612.
Merle Haggard is “stimulant-free.”
The animosity about the Euro might just be mitigated if European community leaders broke bread together -- and topped the bread with chocolate-hazelnut spread.
You’ve probably been encouraged by a doctor or health-conscience relative to substitute butter and margarine with olive oil. Olive oil is considered a “good” fat because it has monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). People who choose “good” fats over “bad” fats can lower their cholesterol and thus lower their risk of heart disease, normalize blood clotting and keep insulin levels in check, according to Mayo Clinic research.
Deloris Doleman is president of Nurses, Inc., a newly-formed group of local nurses with a focus on meeting community needs.
If I’m at my desk today, I survived.
Todd Shellnutt, owner of Skyline Columbus flight training school, got into flying in a round-about way.
It’s late at night and you’re watching TV or wasting time on Facebook before bed, when the power goes out. You’re alert, antsy, feeling slightly adrift and totally in the dark. Thank God your cell phone still works. There’s no one you would call at this hour, but this tenuous connection to the outside world makes you feel a little less helpless.
Molanda Brown always has a book with her.
Salvation Army Major Henry Hunter’s business card should read “Have Faith, Will Travel.”
As book critics and publishers circulate lists of which titles they expect, and hope, to see grace best-seller lists in 2012, avid readers discuss what books they’re excited to read this year.
Unless you are personally involved in something, it’s often hard to fully understand it.
If you haven’t visited a local library lately, you might be in for a surprise.
Walk into a library and you won’t just encounter rows of books, you’ll find computer rooms, language learning labs and even a recording studio.Although I had corresponded with Rachel Einglett Elliott through emails and phone calls for months, I had not actually met her face-to-face until last September at the Shrine Circus.
Want to cut down on your salt intake?
There is something about the crispy, juicy pear that tastes like winter comfort food to me. Here are a couple of tasty recipes from the Pear Bureau Northwest. Enjoy!
Julie Hadden lost nearly 100 pounds when she was a contestant on NBC’s “Biggest Loser” in 2007. On Saturday (Jan. 7) she'll share her story of success to kickoff Scale Down Columbus. The event begins at 2 p.m. at the Roy E. Martin Recreation Center, 1100 Airport Road, in Phenix City. The kickoff event is free to attend. It costs $45 to participate in the 3-month program. The goal is for the community to lose a combined 15,000 with help from trainers at Body Be 1 fitness centers.
It’s amateur night at the gym.
Mark Lucas is an artist, studio owner and art teacher.
Kids and teens in Muscogee County won’t return to their classrooms until Jan. 10.
It’s the end of the year and a lot of people have been putting out “best of” lists, reviewing what we watched, listened to and read.
Glitter? Check. Kissing partner? Check. Designated driver? Check. The only thing missing from your New Year’s Eve agenda: a party destination.
Calm down, everything will be OK. Local hot spots are ready to serve party-hoppers Saturday night, offering drink specials, live entertainment and much more.Aren’t you glad Christmas is over for another year?
Brandi Sayedzada, who goes by the name Isis Immortal when she straps on her roller skates, decided to start the Southern Slayer Derby Dames flat track roller derby league after a long sleepless night.
2012 is the year you get up off the couch. You’ll use that gym membership more than once, you swear. You’ll make time to eat healthy and to exercise. But where do you start?
It won’t be long after Santa’s sleigh departs on Christmas Eve before your thoughts must turn to New Year’s Eve options.
The last time I laced up a pair of roller skates was probably 1998.
Columbus Museum's newest exhibit, “Sound and Vision: Monumental Rock & Roll Photographs,” features portraits of musicians including Little Richard, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones and more. See the exhibit 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays and Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays, through April 1. Closed Mondays. Free. 706-748-2562.
Santa Claus likes winter stew and dumplings. How do I know? He told me on Twitter.
For most of the year, I am happy to serve humble drop or bar cookies to family and friends. But as the holidays approach, I aim to create a selection of beautifully shaped, cut-out and decorated cookies that almost always are crowd-pleasers. The trick is to choose the right recipes and equipment, organize your time and take a relaxed approach to decorating.
Impress your holiday guests with one of these simple but sophisticated desserts courtesy of Pepperidge Farm®.
Dr. Andrew Pippas, clinical oncology research director at John B. Amos Cancer Center is principle investigator for the state of Georgia for a current clinical drug trial regarding the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
I don’t want to stress you out, but it’s almost here.
Tamara Ovdenk is one tough bartender. She was working one week before giving birth to her daughter.
It’s Christmas morning. The kids wake up early, squeal in delight at the presents and begin tearing off wrapping paper faster than you can say “Merry Christmas.”
The National Infantry Museum cookbook, “Culinary Treasures for the Queen of Battle,” features 780 recipes from 276 contributors, mostly retired and active soldiers’ families.
I’ll be home for Christmas. You can plan on me. … I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.
If you're touring holiday light displays this weekend, read our roundup of noteworthy local decorations. Visit these homes and you'll see everything from giant inflatables to elegant white lights. You can also add your decorations to our interactive map, which is available here.
Duffy's on Saturday (Dec. 17) will host Banding Together for Steve, a fundraiser to increase the reward fund for information on the homicide of Steve Toms. Expect live entertainment from noon until close. A $10 cover gets you in and out throughout the day. 706-507-3418.
Are you looking for some last-minute Christmas gifts?
"A Cantus Christmas, Message of the Season -- Music of the Masters" features Columbus' only professional choir in its annual holiday show. It's 7:30 p.m. Monday (Dec. 19) in Legacy Hall, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway. Tickets are $29-$33. Call 706-256-3612.
Homemade candies are always welcome at holiday gatherings.
It’s fun and simple to make your own treats for the holidays. Serve them as dessert at your family gatherings and make extra to give as gifts. Your co-workers and friends will love your homemade goodies!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 110 children in the United States have Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
“Congratulations!”
Seventeen-year-old Avery Jones credits watching “Sesame Street” with his desire to become a puppeteer.
There’s a story that gets told every Christmas in my family. I’m going to share it and hope I don’t end up with coal in my stocking this year.
Candace McBride remembers wanting a Barbie doll as a girl.
Columbus, GA -- My dogs, Sassy and Alley, want all of you sensitive, kind-hearted, animal-loving readers to consider sharing your holiday cheer with the furry creatures at PAWS Humane by participating in this year’s Foster for the Holidays program.
Basketballs and Barbie dolls. These items, contained in bags along with many other toys, are among the abundance of gifts awaiting parents next Thursday and Friday at an east Columbus mission.
I can still smell the gingerbread.
The Rogers and Hammerstein version of this classic tale comes to the Springer Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 15-17 and Dec. 20-23. Matinees are set for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. Tickets cost $15-$38. Details: 706-327-3688.
Once again, St. Francis Hospital is offering SafetyCab. And once again, the free transportation service won’t take you to a party.
Holiday baked goods have already impacted your waistline, but you don’t want to run. Or bike. Or do any activity that involves extreme weightlifting.
Take a tour of seven private homes as part of The Historic Columbus Foundation’s Holiday Tour of Homes. The tour is noon-6 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 11) throughout the Hilton Heights and Averett Woods neighborhoods. Cost is $20 in advance and $25 on Sunday. Information: 706-322-0756. Tickets: Tickets can be purchased on the HCF website, by calling their office or at the following locations: The Rankin House, Anne’s Porch, Hinson Galleries, Schomburg’s, The Sample Shop, The Galleria, Lewis Jones and The Front Porch.
Tickets for several shows go on sale soon.
For this year's “The Nutcracker,” the Columbus Ballet collaborates with the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, the Columbus State University department of theater and Prodigy Dance Centre. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (December 10) and 2:30 p.m. Sunday (December 11) at the RiverCenter's Bill Heard Theatre. Tickets cost $18-$20. Information: 706-256-3612.
Don't miss two noteworthy shows at the Springer this weekend. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical version of "Cinderella" is performed at Springer Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23. Tickets cost $15-$38. Also, "A Tuna Christmas" is performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23-24 at the Springer Opera House’s Foley Hall. $15-$35. 706-327-3688.
Looking for Santa?
Melodie Belcher, a 26-year resident of LaGrange, created a Layered Peppermint Cheesecake that became one of two runners up in Southern Living magazine’s first-ever white cake contest. The contest featured more than 800 entries from home cooks and bakers across the country.
Southern Living Test Kitchen Pro Pam Lolley and LaGrange attorney Melodie Belcher, who was a runner up Southern Living’s white cake contest, offer tips for baking during the holidays.
“Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood,” said Kristin Kiefer, donor recruitment representative for the American Red Cross. “One blood donation can save up to three lives.”
Soon, I’ll have one more thing in common with Britney Spears.
Demetrius Colson calls Detroit home, but he said he spent as much time in Columbus as he did in Michigan.
Can you help me?
’Tis the season to give back. There are numerous organizations around the Chattahoochee Valley where you can volunteer and many of them have special programs just for the holidays.
More than 64 percent of students in Muscogee County are eligible to participate in the free or reduced price lunch programs, according to a report from the Muscogee County School District.
Your dogs and cats are ready to get their photos taken with Santa Claus, right?
Still trying to decide how to celebrate the holidays? Broadway Holiday is Friday (Dec. 2) in downtown Columbus. It begins at at 6 p.m. in the 1100 block of Broadway. The celebration will include snow. Also, holiday concerts will be held 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 4) at the RiverCenter. The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band concerts are free, but tickets are required and can be picked up on post at Omega Travel and at the RiverCenter box office. Call 706-545-5313.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra's "A Christmas Family Concert" is 6:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 2). It's at Bill Heard Theatre, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway. Tickets are $5-$10. Call 706-256-3612 or 888-332-5200.
"The Toys Take Over Christmas" is a short play about a toymaker who calls himself "The Greatest Toymaker in the World." It's 7:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 2) and 10 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 3) at Columbus State University, Theater on the Park, 6 W. 10th St. Tickets are $5-$10. Call 706-507-8444.
I was on vacation last week, but I still had a couple of interviews that I had set up that I had to do.
When I was growing up, cranberries came in the form of a wobbly cylinder of jelly straight from the can, with ridged indentations on the side.
My sister made a huge container of Chex® mix for Thanksgiving. She thought we’d snack on it after dinner but we devoured it before the turkey even made it to the table. We’re excited to try these variations courtesy of General Mills’ Chex®. Each of these take just 15 minutes to make.
World AIDS Day was first recognized on Dec. 1, 1988 as a way to “raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services,” according to the World AIDS Campaign website.
