Need A Day Off

Yesterday's plate was a little over-full with four major events. First was the Race for the Cure (picture below). Next, was the movie, Big Miracle, which Jane & I both liked and recommend. It was about the true story back in 1988 when, in Alaska, a family of whales was trapped by ice. After that, we ushered for the Lake Worth Playhouse production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I enjoyed it more than Jane but I still felt it didn't measure up to the usual quality of their productions. In the evening we ushered at the Kravis for  Divorce Party the Musical. Neither of us liked it but it seemed to be well received. It was a good production but just not our cup of tea. Last Monday we went to a pre-release screening of Man on a Ledge. Jane liked it better than I did. It was an improbable and flawed story that reminded me of Tower Heist but without the humor. Its stress level is just what you can imagine.

Weekend In Paradise

Yesterday morning, Sunday, we had a good hike with Alan Collins and the FTA at Hungryland Slough Natural Area (see the two upper pictures below). The morning before, Saturday, we had a walk with Judy Jaksch and the P. B. Pack & Paddle Club across the Lake Worth bridge (bottom of pictures below). Then we went to the Norton Art Museum (2nd & 3rd pictures from bottom). And finally, although really tired, we took in the artpalmbeach show at the convention center -- always a terrific show (3rd, 4th, & 5th pictures below). The Best of all was Thursday at the Eissey Theater -- The U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass -- the best free concert we've attended in a long while. Who said there was no free lunch?

Thirteen of us braved this morning's cold and enjoyed our walk on what became a beautiful day. We went into the new Publix Market and the Paramount Theater building before breakfast at TooJays.

Goings On

We went to the South Florida Fair yesterday -- their 100th year. The big show this year is the magician, but my favorite -- back after 4 years -- is the the hypnotist. We went to two of his shows yesterday. I haven't laughed so hard in years. As always, it really tired me out. But, best of all, I didn't yield to a single food-temptation.


I highly recommend Palm Beach Dramaworks production of The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. Saw it Thursday.

The road show of the rock musical, Hair, is playing at The Kravis. I had mixed feelings about it and didn't have the same enthusiasm for it as had 40 years ago. The audience, for the most part, seemed to like it, but I saw a few unhappy patrons who left at intermission. Don't worry to much about missing it.

Two Movies -- The Artist & The Help

In black and white and silent, I would describe The Artist as a parody of the early silent movies. It certainly stands alone in the current cinema-fare. The story revolves around the sudden change in movie-making from silent to sound. I would have enjoyed it more if I had been ignorant of the high praise so universally heaped upon it. I'm glad we went and can recommend it but suggest you go with modest expectations.

A couple of weeks ago we saw The Help, a movie about African-American maids' points of view of the white families for which they work. It has received well-deserved high praise and I highly recommend it.

At Jupiter Ridge Natural Area on this perfect morning we celebrated Liz Hailman's seventy-fifth birthday.

It was a busy week for us at the Kravis with three events -- Linda Edler & Steve Tyrell on Tuesday, Neil Berg's 103 Years of Broadway on Wednesday, and Friday, The Palm Beach Pops -- all good.

................Happy New Year.............

We're such suckers for fireworks, Every time we see fireworks it always seems they are the best. Here's the view we had last night from the Royal Poinciana bridge.                                            
It hardly seems possible, but today begins Jane's and my 27th year of marriage. Twenty-six years ago we made the best decision of our lives.

Mexican Train

Following lunch at Olive Garden and in between laughs, we engaged in a fierce game of Mexican Train.

Worth Avenue Stroll

Eleven walkers braved last night's threatening weather and enjoyed a delightful stroll on Worth Avenue. Along the way we stopped by and briefly shared in a Hanukkah celebration.

 

This evening Jane and I dined at TooJays and walked in Palm Beach.
Santa Claus, apparently knowing I had been naughty, passed by last night without stopping. I've resolved to change my ways and try to smile and be friendly to those who are difficult to like. ---  Last week we saw the movie, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It is a well made movie which will, no doubt, receive a lot of notice. It is stressful with plenty of scenes most of us wouldn't want to share with family members. I recommend it only very selectively. --- We appreciated Serena's invitation to her seven fishes dinner Christmas Eve ( picture below). It is a tradition with which Jane and I were unfamiliar. Serena's was a very big culinary production.

Beautiful Morning

We had 18 walkers in paradise this morning. We enjoyed Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church garden and The Breakers Hotel.

Dining Out Holiday Party

For our annual Dining Out Group holiday party, Peggy Myers graciously hosted us in her lovely lakeside home Saturday night. Seventeen attended.

Shameless Profilgacy

Having seen six movies in six days (The devil made us do it.) I obviously don't have much time (or the memory) to comment much on them but I'll list them in the order I recommend them. You can click to get information and see comments of others.  War Horse (reviews) was Jane's favorite. The Ides of March (reviews) was my favorite followed closely by The Descendants (reviews). I recommend The Adventures of Tintin (reviews). The technology puts it in a class by itself. The Muppets (reviews) -- Yes, they're back -- is okay if you need more Muppets. And finally, New Year's Eve (reviews) is mildly entertaining but dumb.

Holiday HorseFest

Last Sunday afternoon we attended a really good equestrain event at the Myer Amphitheatre called Holiday HorseFest. I recommend you watch for it next year. Here are a few snaps below:

Another GOOD MOVIE & A Disappointment

Monday night Jane and I attended a pre-release screening of Martin Scorsese's new film, Hugo. We loved it. We expected something outstanding but it was even better than we hoped. It is an adventure film in well-used 3D. The performances are excellent. I recommend it for everyone. see reviews
The Joe Bonamassa concert at The Kravis last night was sold out and apparently well received. But for me, it was terrible. Joe Bonamassa may be talented but the music wasn't my kind and it was dangerously over-loud. Even with earplugs I couldn't stand it for longer than 5 or 10 minutes at a stretch.

The Week Past

This morning was our monthly City Walk (picture below). It was a beautiful day but the group was small because of a conflict with the Big "O"hike. Tuesday at the Kravis was The Munich Symphony -- excellent. But, for us, the best entertainment was at the new theater on Clematis St. where there is a great production by Dreamworks of Arthur Miller's play, All My Sons. We ushered there Thursday and agreed that everything about it is wonderful.  Go!                    Saturday, a week ago, we were honored to be invited to Billie & Jerry Henin's 50th anniversary party. (pictures)

Movies, Play, & Move To Amend

Tuesday at Kravis, The Adams Family seemed very well received. We didn't enjoy it as much as many things, but they did a good job. Thursday night at the Regal we saw two movies --- Tower Heist & Anonymous. Both, for me, were only so-so. Jane liked Tower Heist. They were both big movies and will probably get a lot of notice.

Most importantly this week, we attended a house party for Move to Amend. We hope this movement will generate a demand for an amendment to the U.S. constitution which will firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights. We need to get behind it and show support.

J. Egdar -- Recommended

Last night at Muvico we attended a screening of J. Edgar with Leonardo DiCaprio in the challenging and convincing role of J. Edgar Hoover, warts and all, actually, nearly all warts, as we know. Jane and I both recommend it. They tried to get everything in so at nearly two and a half hours, it may be a bit long for some.

Where In The World Are The Holdens?

In case you might be wondering about the absence of blog entries, Jane and I are in Marysville, California visiting Jane's daughter, Kelly. We left home October 18 and expect to return November 5.
Last night we went to Scarysville, a street party, in this little town of Marysville. It was fun to see the little ones in costume --- quite a contrast to the similar event in West Palm Beach.
It was a surprise to see my picture in today's newspaper. Pictures

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