Taylor Swift was spotted out and about in Nashville, Tennesse.The “Dear John” songstress was joined by a gal pal as she hit up PEI WEI Asian restaurant for a bite to eat.
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Taylor Swift: Lunch In Nashville
Taylor Swift was spotted out and about in Nashville, Tennesse.The “Dear John” songstress was joined by a gal pal as she hit up PEI WEI Asian restaurant for a bite to eat.
Miley Cyrus Hits Up Urth Caffe
Miley Cyrus ventured out for coffee with friends at Urth Caffe in West Hollywood, CA.The "So Undercover" darling picked up her java jumpstart before proceeding forth with the day.
Emma Roberts: Dinner At Nobu
Emma Roberts was spotted picking up some takeout food in Los Angeles.The “Hotel for Dogs” actress braved the chilly weather as she hit up Nobu restaurant for dinner.
Kendall Jenner: Teen Prom Photoshoot!
Kendall Jenner feautured in the 2011 issue of Teen Prom.On her dream prom date: “My sister Kim [Kardashian] would want me to say Taylor Lautner.”
On her prom style: “This dress just stood out to me. It’s very easy and cute, and I can wear my combat boots with it.”
On her dream job: “To model for Chanel.”
Joe Jonas & Ashley Greene Land In LA
Joe Jonas and Ashley Greene were spotted in Los Angeles, CA.The Disney star and his "Twilight" girlfriend landed at LAX airport after spending some time at The Magic Kingdom.
1 Day Only: Fairy Tales Reimagined eBook for $2.99
Fairy Tales Reimagined: Essays on New Retellings
is available as a Kindle ebook for only $2.99 today only. Amazon has started offering several ebooks each day for $2.99. This week has featured several titles published by McFarland. The paperback edition is $35.00 so this is a considerable savings. Remember that you don't have to have a Kindle to read a Kindle book, you can load the free software on your PC, Mac, smart phone and other devices. If you buy the book, it stays in your permanent library whether you download it to a device right away or not.Here is the book description from the publisher. My own review is also on the product page. I gave away a copy of this book earlier this year thanks to receiving two from the publisher:
No mere escapist fantasies, the reimagined fairy tales of the late 20th-early 21st centuries reflect the social, political, and cultural truths of our age with insight, intelligence, and complexity. Sixteen essays consider fairy tales recreated through short stories, novels, poetry, and the graphic novel from both best-selling and lesser-known writers, applying a variety of theoretical perspectives, including postmodernism, psychoanalysis, Marxism, feminism, structuralism, queer theory, and gender studies.
To conclude, here's the paperback link
if you are interested in that instead although it is regular price.
Clay Aiken Fans Dial Up A/C Radio
TRIED & TRUE PREVIEW: Singer Clay Aiken previewed the 2011 Winter Tour at a benefit concert in Chicago in October. The graphic design by AmazingCA with photo by PermaSwooned is double-clickable.
Kick-Off for Tried & True Tour
Fans Request UM on A/C Radio
With the 22-city Tried & True Tour slated to open in Miami, FL, on Feb. 10, Clay Aiken fans are lining up requests for "Unchained Melody," popular track on the T&T CD, at Adult Contemporary radio stations throughout the country.
Already a favorite from the singer's 2003 run on American Idol, "Unchained Melody" was arranged especially for Clay by Ben Cohen and has become his signature song on the Decca June 2010 Tried & True release.
Unchained Melody
Double Clickable
UM, which fits the AC format like a glove, was performed by Clay during CD promotional appearances in June. Below is video from The View.
Clay Aiken Performs UM on 'The View.'
View video full screen at YouTube.
Unless WMAG reads the Carolina blog, the station is in for a sweet surprise this week. To the delight of the Winston-Greensboro Wrapping for Inclusion team, this radio station frequently programmed Clay's "O Holy Night" during their sessions.
As a special "thank you" from WFI wrappers georgiesmybaby, FearofH2O, and Scarlett, a tin of Christie's Cookies with the National Inclusion Project logo will be delivered to 99.5 WMAG Radio Thursday. The NIP charity was co-founded by Clay and Diane Bubel in July 2003.
Who knows - the cookie angle just might work in other parts of the country, too!
Pepsi Countdown: 3 More Days!
After a grueling four-month campaign, the National Inclusion Project is sitting atop its category and appears to be on the verge of claiming a Pepsi Refresh $50,000 grant!
Daily voting routines have not slowed one iota, as supporters seek to help the alliances and partners whose reciprocal votes have boosted the Inclusion Project to its Top 10 standing.
The second Holiday Vote Blast is slated Thursday as eight children's charities seek to produce 100,000 Pepsi votes for their causes. See Vote for Kids for links to the NIP and the group's nine alliances.
You can also vote three ways by linking to the two widgets in this blog's sidebar or at their home base: NIP Voting Links and More NIP Voting Links. Created by Scarlett, the widgets contain the Internet/mobile ballot links/addresses for the foundation's alliances and partners formed throughout the four-month campaign.
Fans Target Ella's Hope, CDLK5
Two charities NIP supporters are especially targeting these final few days have been partners with the NIP for four-month Pepsi campaign: Ella's Hope, an alliance dedicated to early intervention of autism hovering around the final moneyed rung, and the CDLK5 Foundation seeking a cure for a rare neurological disease.
Sharon G (12/30) for CDLK5: Arianna's family of 10 have voted all 3 ways for you. Please help us to the top 10. 1 computer + 10voters + 3 ways = 1 comment and 30 votes. Ari and I sat outside of Kohl's today for 4 hours passing out fliers for votes for the 10 groups we are voting for. Hope it helped!
Arianna is a young girl with no voice. A $50k grant for CDLK5 would provide the operation she needs. I am voting for both of these groups with each ID from now now until midnight Friday.
Calendar Deadline Set for Jan. 15
An order deadline of Jan. 15 has been set by Rosaratana, who annually produces a Clay Aiken calendar as a fundraiser for the Inclusion Project.
The 2011 wall and desk calendars, which feature photos by toni7babe from the summer's popular Timeless Tour, have been well-received by CA fans.
All proceeds after costs will be donated to the foundation in February. Cost of the calendars, which are printed on premium glossy card stock are $12 for the desk size (8.27" x 3.74") and $25 for the wall model (11" x 8.5").
To place an order, Paypal or email Rosa at rosash@comcast.net by Jan. 15. Checks are accepted, and she will email you her address. For additional information and photos, see the Nov. 2 Carolina entry: Clay Aiken Fans Go to Bat for Inclusion Project.
Christmas Day with Kai and Lia
The snow-covered sculptures lining my side street are actually sleeping dump trucks awaiting resumption of the utility work that has besieged our neighborhood for weeks. My three-year-old grandson Kai, who is very much into trucks, would appreciate the scene.
In his home, Kai has discovered that hardwood floors are very conducive for the emergency runs he and his new Christmas fire engine make. His sister Lia is content to imitate her mother's ways with a brand new doll.
The new toys stayed home when the family visited friends for Christmas Day. Clickables of their holiday activities are shown below. Grandmother's gift will arrive in the Spring when the family drives to Carolina for an extended visit.
Before leaving, Lia got in a little piano, voice, and "vamp" practice.
Her music-teaching grandmother is most impressed
with the hand-over-hand technique.
Kai and Lia enjoyed playing games before gathering
at the beautiful Christmas table prepared by their hostess.
Holidays can be so tiring, but grandson Kai has learned
to kick back and relax, above board and below,
with/without shoes and socks.
Count on postscript pictures of the fire engine and doll baby. Meanwhile, have an awesome transition from 2010 to 2011! Happy New Year, Clay Nation!
Signature by Linda/ABM
A Fairytale Grows Up: Rossini's 'La Cenerentola'
![Rossini: La Cenerentola [Blu-ray]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vGyZ-HrEgxisBoPYiBIamyRqlSxpKm0B1kfKbQOGjslD_GTZcKJtdHSIFx43s1oTDRan1E1UIHiue0OD8S2bVHOdZLQhguOvl8U8c9u0_w_yqfE909thOCIYO1PtUBgNcSF9ECmLgQOn0JLDQZg8MaTZMfRpFUzUzeOF7dMQ5vcwq5firwtp6s50W5OfllGl8FdxaO5xcz2uTWWXQpPge-z9OMQSFKLjg5NpnLrNk=s0-d)
Thank you for your SurLaLune birthday wishes!
World of Opera on NPR recently offered a great feature on La Cenerentola at A Fairytale Grows Up: Rossini's 'La Cenerentola'.
So it's not surprising that it was Gioachino Rossini, the master of bubbly comedies with poignant moments scattered among the laughs, who composed the most popular operatic take on Cinderella — La Cenerentola. It's one of Rossini's funniest operas, but with a serious side to remind us that the happy ending to Cinderella's story wasn't just a gift from some benevolent fairy. On her journey from servant's quarters to a princess' throne, she faces some real dangers. In overcoming them, she displays a gentle and tolerant spirit, some profoundly adult insights, and the pluck and courage to defy everyone who stands in her way.
On World of Opera, host Lisa Simeone presents La Cenerentola in a production from one of the world's foremost celebrations of Rossini's genius, the annual Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Italy, the composer's hometown. The stars are soprano Kate Aldrich as Cinderella and tenor Lawrence Brownlee as her Prince Charming, Ramiro, with baritone Paolo Bordogna as Don Magnifico.
There is a synopsis of each act as well as shorts from the opera to listen to along with some images. It's a nice way to become familiar with the opera if you are interested. I was amused by the labeling of 'Non piu mesta' as the hit single from the opera.
In the opera's final scene, Cinderella (mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich) is left to decide the fate of her abusive family. She forgives them, then sings the spectacular aria 'Non piu mesta' — 'No longer sad' — with the chorus joining in to praise her generosity.
