Events, activities and other hometown items going on in and around Tipp City, Ohio by Greg Enslen

Abbot Labs Breaks Ground on New Facility in Tipp City, Ohio

Smiles and warm handshakes greeted representatives from Abbot Labs , Governor Kasich, and U.S. Representative and House Speaker John Boehner Monday morning for the ground-breaking ceremony for the new $270 million Abbot Labs production facility here in Tipp City.  The only clouds on the horizon were literal ones, as winds and rain lashed the huge tent erected over the location for the ceremonial ground-breaking.  I was there and covered the story—to read the rest, see the full article on page 1.

Downtown “Decorator” Strikes

Lots of folks woke up on Saturday morning to find an unwelcome sight—someone with way too much time on their hands had gone around Friday night and “decorated” various walls and buildings with their handiwork.  In one case, a van owner awoke to find his vehicle had been sprayed with the words “Free Candy” on the side.  Police are looking into the situation, and hopefully they catch the person responsible.  I’ve got a suggestion—“Zeek” needs to get a job.  I’m up late every night working, and I just don’t have the energy to run out and spray paint people’s businesses and homes.  I’m too tired.

Community Wide Garage Sale

It’s time to clear out those garages and start putting price stickers on all of your random pieces of furniture and knick knacks: Tipp-Monroe Community Services will be holding its Annual Community Wide Garage Sale on Saturday May 5, 2012 from 9am to 4pm.  Registrations to participate in this event will be taken at 3 E. Main Street, Tipp City.  Remember, if you want to be included in the printed location guide, your garage sale must register by April 27th, 5pm.  The cost to be listed is $5.00, which helps offset the cost of holding the event.  Location guides and maps will be available one week before the sale starting May 2nd.  For more information or to register, please contact TMCS at 667-8631.

Ham-It-Up Productions Presents “The Glass Slipper”

Harriet Bergman and Ham-It-Up Productions are putting together a presentation of “The Glass Slipper,” a twisted take on the Cinderella fairy tale.  Rehearsals are in progress on Monday nights from 6 to 7:30pm through April 30.  The show opens on May 4 with performances being held on May 4 & 5 at 7:00pm and on May 6th at 2:00pm.  For more information, check out their website at www.hamitup.org.

Native Plants Class at the Library

The Tipp City Public Library will be presenting a class on “Growing Native Plants in Your Garden” on Saturday, April 28 at noon.  Hosted by Ron Corbett, the owner of Native Ohio Plants in Tipp City, Ohio, the class will explain how you can grow native plants in your own yard.

Ron’s passion is finding native plants (trees, shrubs and wildflowers) and propagating them to maintain a diverse natural habitat for native wildlife and replace non-native invasive species. The program will be held in the John K. Senseman Meeting Room. No registration is necessary.

Downton Abby

I know this has nothing to do with Tipp City, but if you’ve tried to call the house at night lately and we don’t pick up, it’s because we’ve become completely obsessed with “Downton Abby,” a stunningly-well-produced show on PBS.  Brought across the pond from the BBC, this glittering portrait of life on an English estate follows the lives of the Crawley family and the extensive staff that keeps the huge estate running.  Similar to “Upstairs/Downstairs,” the lives of the embattled family and mostly-loyal staff at “Downton” are intricately intertwined, leading to drama, happiness and heartache.  As a writer, I can appreciate the effort it takes to maintain upwards of fifteen separate plotlines, all weaving together.

We watched the first season on Netflix Instant, and liked it so much I was dispatched to the store to find Season Two.  I was not to return until I found it.  Thankfully, the Target in Huber Heights carried both seasons-the third season is being filmed now and will be broadcast in England first this year before making it to our shores either late this year or early next year.  Unless someone is interested in flying to England and taping it for their favorite columnist!

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com and drop me a line using the “Contact Me” page. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

Dayton, OH

Opening the season and running October 12-21, will be “Dracula” by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston.  This enormously successful revival opened on Broadway in 1977 and is one of the great mystery thrillers of our time.

Next will be the nostalgic holiday favorite, “Scrooge,” written by Leslie Bricusse, which will run November 30 – December 16.  This hopeful, family favorite earned sell-out crowds in 2011, with patrons requesting that it to be offered as a regular holiday tradition.  “Scrooge” will be directed by Craig Smith.

Oscar Wilde’s, “The Importance of Being Earnest” will run January 25 – February 3.  This delightful comedy of manners is widely considered Wilde’s most perfect work.  Audiences have continued to be delighted by revivals of this charming and witty play.  “The Importance of Being Earnest” will be directed by Jennifer Lockwood.

“Thoroughly Modern Millie,” with book by Richard Morris & Dick Scanlan, new music by Jeanine Tesori and Lyrics by Dick Scanlan, will fill the Playhouse stage with rousing song and dance from March 1-17.  Taking us back to 1922 with the sensation of flappers, the thrill of a budding mystery and the bliss of falling in love, this musical will warm the winter chill.  “Thoroughly Modern Millie” will be directed by Richard Croskey.

The Playhouse season turns to heavy drama with “The Retreat from Moscow,” by William Nicholson, from April 12 – 21.  With coiled intensity and embracing empathy this celebrated author of “Shadowlands,” shines a breathtakingly natural light on the fallout of a shattered marriage.  “The Retreat from Moscow” will be directed by visiting director Bill Brewer from Oxford, Ohio.

Last, but certainly not least, the hilarious and bawdy musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, will run from May 31 – June 16.  Farce, satire, crazy love story and more are all wrapped up in the 1962 Tony Award winning Best Musical.  “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will be directed by Jim Lockwood.

Current and new season subscribers may purchase 2012-2013 subscriptions at last season’s prices until July 1, 2012.  Past season prices: 6-show subscription adult $75, senior/student $70; or 4-show subscription adult $55, senior/student $50.    Current subscribers must renew by May 31, 2012, to insure seating preferences.  Pricing will increase on July 1, 2012.

Season subscriptions can be purchased online at www.daytonplayhouse.org, or through the box office, 937-424-8477, which is staffed Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2:00 -5:00 p.m.  Messages may be left for the box office at any time.  The Dayton Playhouse is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414.

Tipp City native, Lee Dynes has continued to achieve major musical milestones since moving to Boston, MA to study guitar performance and composition on a full scholarship from Berklee College of Music. He quickly became noted for his unique and passionate guitar style and had opportunities to perform at premier jazz venues across the country with great reviews, “Dynes guitar work roars across traditional jazz guidelines. You can hear the Metallica he listened to during his boyhood in the way he makes his hollow-body electric sound like an entire band.” (Isthmus Daily, Madison WI, 2011). Recently, Lee signed with Jazz Revelation Records to record his original tune for the compilation CD, Octave, presenting the finest jazz composers at Berklee. A recent review of his composition said, “Dynes is a wonderful writer and guitarist and his original tunes feature both his progressive, compositional voice and his acrobatic guitar playing.” (BIRN, Boston, MA, 2011).
Amanda Addleman’s interest in voice and piano started at a very young age and now she is an established artist in the San Francisco area. She received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Berklee College of Music in Boston, after four years of total immersion in jazz and vocal practice. Upon completion of her degree, she began working in the bay area as a singer, pianist, arranger, composer and educator with an increasingly impressive list of venues including a long residency at the beautiful Palace Hotel. In addition to her live performances, Amanda is currently working on her first studio record, Aglow, slated for release very soon.

You don’t want to miss this rare opportunity to hear Lee Dynes and Amanda Addleman perform live while in Ohio. You can catch their concerts entitled “A Spring Set” at one of the following locations.

Thursday, 03/22/12: Spinoza’s 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Beavercreek, OH
www.spinozas.com

Friday, 03/23/12: Heather’s Coffee and Cafe 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Springboro, OH
www.heatherscoffeeandcafe.com

Events, activities and other hometown items going on in and around Tipp City, Ohio by Greg Enslen

Arts Council Gala on January 28

The Tipp City Area Arts Council will be holding a gala on January 28 at the Crystal Room at Club 55 in Troy, Ohio.  Called “Cocktails and the Arts,” this event will be held from 6 to 11pm and will feature a silent auction of donations from local artists—I was proud to donate a copy of “Tipp Talk 2010” for the silent auction, and we’re planning to attend, so if you win it, say “hi!”  It’s already signed.   Also included in the silent auction will be items from Ann Luken, Cindy Plummer, Rodney Veal, Mary Kilpatrick, Barbara Bailey and Mike Jackson.

There will also be a live painting demonstration by painter Keith Thue—he was one of the participating artists at the event that kicked off the “Windows on Tippecanoe” event several years ago.

All of the food at the gala will be “cocktail” inspired and coordinated by Susan Langley, Samantha’s mom.  I can’t wait to see what recipes and concoctions she comes up with!

Tickets are $40 for Arts Council members and $45 for non-members—and it’s such an important community organization, I’d suggest you simply sign up for membership and save that $5. Tickets can be purchased at Tipp Monroe Community Services or by emailing franke4_us@yahoo.com.

Ginghamsburg Church Hosts Family Flick

The folks out at Ginghamsburg Church are hosting a Family Flick Night on January 20, when they’ll present the family animated movie “Rio.” Admission is free, but they ask that you help support their New Path Food Pantry by bring a canned food item as a donation for each person in your group.  If you have questions, please see the church website at www.ginghamsburg.orgor call Kelly Flora at 667-1069, extension 260.

Main Street Preschool Open House

The great folks over at Main Street Preschool are taking signups and registrations for the 2012-2013 school year for current preschool families, members of the United Methodist Church, and the general public.  Classes will fill quickly, so early registration is encouraged –this is absolutely true, as this year it came down to the wire for us to get little Katie in.  Main Street Preschool is expanding their afternoon program to 3 days a week next year.

On Sunday, January 29, the staff of Main Street Preschool will welcome visitors to its Open House, being held from 2:30pm to 3:30pm.  Drop in and take the opportunity to meet the teachers to learn about their unique programs, tour the classrooms, and sign up.  If you have questions, feel free to call Suzanne Collins, the Preschool Director, at 937.669.4707 or check out their website at www.mainstreetpreschool.com.

Companion Site for “The 9/11 Machine”

My book “The 9/11 Machine,” has been out for a few months now, and I’m getting questions about certain plot points in the book. In the course of writing a fiction book I stumbled across quite a few true things that I wanted to work into the book, but it’s difficult in fiction books to clearly delineate what is true and what is fiction, such as in the last Dan Brown book, “The Lost Symbol,” where he takes great pains to use real-world locations and objects to add credence to his fictional tale.

My book is a work of speculative fiction, but I decided to set up a companion website to explore some of the major plot points and offer expanded background information about the book and the characters and locations.  Located at 911machine.gregenslen.com,  the website also cover the background of the book, excerpts, some of the praise that I’ve received, and information on where buyers can locate the book.  There are also updates on real-world happenings related to the book.  Enjoy!

Tipp City TV

Ever wish you could watch TV shows dedicated to Tipp City, or enjoy old episodes of the Get Social Show?  At TippCityTV.com, I’ve created what is essentially a 24-hour TV station dedicated to Tipp City. I uploaded a smattering of Tipp City videos and other segments.  I’ve also included some old movies and TV shows, and added pages for up-to-date news and weather.

Speaking of TV

There is some really good TV coming back in mid-January, including a few shows that I’m very excited about:

• Royal Pains (January 18) – this show about a concierge doctor and his practice in the sunny Hamptons is the perfect anti-dote for cold weather.  Hank Lawson and his brother Evan run the kind of doctor’s practice that used to be common—he makes house calls! Of course, his clients can afford it, but Hank still manages to run into some crazy diagnoses.  Check out the show for the gorgeous locations shots and stay for the characters, especially Divia, Hank’s physician assistant.
• American Idol (January 18) – Last year was interesting, with Simon gone and two new faces in Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joining Randy Jackson in the “let’s find a star” juggernaut show.  This is the 11^th season, so it will be interesting to see if they can keep the audience that tuned in last year, expecting a train wreck, only to find a panel of judges that jelled surprisingly fast.  Now if they could only find an actual American Idol – it’s been a long time since they found an outstanding singer.  And isn’t that what the show is supposed to be about?
• Smash (February 6) – starring Debra Messing, Angelica Huston and American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee, this tune-filled drama explores the harried launch of a Broadway show and the players involved, each fighting for a moment in the spotlight.  I don’t usually enjoy musicals but this looks good—I love behind-the-scenes shows.
• The River (February 7) – ABC is taking a crack at the horror/suspense crowd with this thriller about a famous explorer who goes missing in the Amazon.  His wife and son set out with a documentary crew to find the explorer, but everything is not as it seems along the dark river.  It’s supposed to be scary and suspenseful, which I like, as opposed to gory and bloody (I’m talking to you, Walking Dead – come on!), which I do not like.  Check out the trailer on ABC.com and get some sleep now…while you still can.

Tipp Roller Mill Children’s Theater

Harriet Bergman and her local children’s theater troupe will present “The Glass Slipper” this spring and is currently holding auditions.  “The Glass Slipper” is a retelling of the famous Cinderella story, but with new characters and twists on the timeless classic.

Rehearsals begin January 23 from 6:30 to 7:30 and they are looking to cast 20 area children.  For more information, please visit the website for Ham It Up! Productions at www.hamitup.org.

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com and drop me a line using the “Contact Me” page. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

In Lost December you will find many references to the story of the Prodigal Son from The Bible, including the passage from Luke quoted at the beginning of the book.  The story of Crisp’s Copy Centers and the father-son relationship is the heart of this story.

Luke Crisp is set to inherit the family business, Crisp’s Copy Centers, from his father.  He has worked as a manager of the copy centers since he was able.  Finishing college, he is ready to take over when his father tells him he should get his MBA and not have any regrets.  Not really wanting to get his MBA, he does as his father asks and heads off to The Wharton School of Business.  Throughout Luke’s time at Wharton, the father-son relationship is strained.  Additionally, during this time, Crisp Copy Centers is taken public and “family” business changes.

After receiving his MBA, Luke is talked into a trip with his friends instead of returning to take over the family business.  His father is devastated but seems to accept this.  Luke and his friends travel the world spending lavishly and using all of Luke’s trust fund.  Luke finds himself in Vegas without the funds needed to cover expenses.  His girlfriend leaves him and his becomes homeless.  When he reaches out to his father through his financial manager, Luke learns that his father has no interest in helping him and has describe Luke as being “dead to me”.

Just when you think things can’t get any worse for Luke, a mugging occurs taking what very little he had left…but then things turn around…a “good Samaritan” finds him.  The story of Luke’s return from failure is wonderful.  I don’t want to spoil the ending but you only need to know the story of The Prodigal Son to understand what happens.

Enjoy!

Events, activities and other hometown items going on in and around Tipp City, Ohio by Greg Enslen

Tipp City Area Community Foundations    

The Distribution Committee of the Tipp Area Community Foundations held their quarterly meeting in December and awarded over $24,000 in grants to six different local and area organizations. Since 1943, the Foundation has been awarding grants to local and area organizations.

Groups that received grants last quarter included:

• the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, in support of their efforts to bring music into Tipp City schools, including classroom lessons and concerts;
• Tipp Monroe Community Services, in support of their Band Instruments Program, which provides instruments for students who  might otherwise not be able to afford to play’;
• Tipp City Area Arts Council, in support of their program to bring more music to the downtown with their Canal Music Festival; and
• We Care Arts, which funds two separate programs for students with disabilities “with the goal of alleviating the isolation and boredom that some of these students feel.”

Other groups that received smaller grants included Bethel Local Schools, the Indian Creek 4-H Club, Miami County Recovery Council, and Tipp City Exempted Village Schools.

Thanks to the foundation, its board members, and its donors for continuing to make such a positive and important contribution to our community.

Tipp City TV

Every wish you could watch TV shows dedicated to Tipp City, or enjoy old episodes of the Get Social Show?  At TippCityTV.com, I’ve created what is essentially a 24-hour TV station dedicated to Tipp City. I uploaded a smattering of Tipp City videos and other segments.  I’ve also included some old movies and TV shows, and added pages for up-to-date news and weather.

Speaking of TV

There is some really good TV coming back in mid-January, including a few shows that I’m very excited about:

• 30 Rock (January 12) – Back for season six, Liz Lemon has a secret.  She’s relaxed and happy, so naturally everyone on the set of the fictional “Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan” is worried about her.  Hey, it’s New York – happy is just unnatural, right? Oh, and Jenna signs up to judge an American-Idol style show.  Sign me up.
• Undercover Boss (January 15) – I love this show, if only to see CEOs of major corporations picking lettuce or trying to learn how to drive forklifts.  A classic fish-out-of-water exercise.
• Justified (January 17) – you do not want to be a criminal around U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens.  He thinks he’s a cowboy, but he also thinks he’s personally in charge of making the world a better place, so criminals and deadbeats and anyone he doesn’t like would be best served by moving to another state.  Returning to his home town after serving for years in other parts of the country, Raylan has reconnected with family and friends but found an interesting foil in childhood friend .  And last year’s stunning cliffhanger, with a long moment where Raylan shared a drink with a criminal and we waited to find out which glass had been poisoned, highlighted the amazing writing on this show.  If you like good writing—I’m talking to you, Breaking Bad/Sopranos/Deadwood fans—you will love this show and end up going back and ordering all of the old episodes from NetFlix.
• Royal Pains (January 18) – this show about a concierge doctor and his practice in the sunny Hamptons is the perfect anti-dote for cold weather.  Hank Lawson and his brother Evan run the kind of doctor’s practice that used to be common—he makes housecalls! Of course, his clients can afford it, but Hank still manages to run into some crazy diagnoses.  Check out the show for the gorgeous locations shots and stay for the characters, especially Divia, Hank’s physician assistant.
• American Idol (January 18) – Last year was interesting, with Simon gone and two new faces in Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joining Randy Jackson in the “let’s find a star” juggernaut show.  This is the 11^th season, so it will be interesting to see if they can keep the audience that tuned in last year, expecting a train wreck, only to find a panel of judges that jelled surprisingly fast.  Now if they could only find an actual American Idol – it’s been a long time since they found an outstanding singer.  And isn’t that what the show is supposed to be about?
• Smash (February 6) – starring Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston and American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee, this tune-filled drama explores the harried launch of a Broadway show and the players involved, each fighting for a moment in the spotlight.  I don’t usually enjoy musicals but this looks good—I love behind-the-scenes shows.
• The River (February 7) – ABC is taking a crack at the horror/suspense crowd with this thriller about a famous explorer who goes missing in the Amazon.  His wife and son set out with a documentary crew to find the explorer, but everything is not as it seems along the dark river.  It’s supposed to be scary and suspenseful, which I like, as opposed to gory and bloody (I’m talking to you, Walking Dead – come on!), which I do not like.  Check out the trailer on ABC.com and get some sleep now…while you still can.

Ginghamsburg Church Hosts Family Flick

The folks out at Ginghamsburg Church are hosting a Family Flick Night on January 20, when they’ll be presenting the family animated movie “Rio.” Admission is free, but they ask that you help support their New Path Food Pantry by bringing along a canned food item as a donation for each person in your group.

If you have questions, please see the church website at www.ginghamsburg.org or call Kelly Flora at 667-1069, extension 260.

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com and drop me a line using the “Contact Me” page. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

Events, activities and other hometown items going on in and around Tipp City, Ohio by Greg Enslen

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas was great at the Enslens—we had Sam’s aunt and uncle in from New York City and enjoyed several days of decadent meals, gift exchanges, and just hanging out. I was the happy recipient of both a copy of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and a sweet blue lava lamp for my office. Sam got books and one of those make-your-own charm bracelets they carry at Hapinstance. Xander got Hex Bugs, and Anna and Katie got Zoobles, so all was right with the world.

New Year’s was a blast as we partied at my friend Diana’s house to celebrate the New Year. I made chili, which seemed to be a big hit, and we all hung out and played with kids and swapped stories while we waited for the big ball to drop. Thanks to our gracious hosts for having us over—it was a privilege, counting down the New Year with you.

We also made a conscious decision this year to put the Christmas decorations up early and leave them up late, so the tree and all of our Santas and pine trees are still out and about. I’m not in any hurry to pack away all our decorations just yet—it seems that the Christmas season comes and goes so fast already. Why hurry it along?

Sam decided this year that her business, Dragonfly Editorial, would give a donation to a worthwhile charity in lieu of gifts to staff and clients. They donated to Mira’s Movement, a nonprofit that supports families of children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Two years ago, our good friends Chris and Christine Brouwer lost their four-year-old daughter Mira to pediatric ependymoma, a form of cancer that arises in the central nervous system. They created Mira’s Movement to help other families facing the same crisis. If you’d like to learn more about this organization or make a donation yourself, visit www.mirasmovement.org.

Resolutions

Anyone have any good resolutions so far this year? I know most people are going to go with the standard ones, like “lose some weight” or “promote world peace.” I’m shooting a little lower this year: I want to go for more walks and finish reading all the books on my bedside table. And I’d like to write and publish at least two books.

Display Gardens Filled with Roses?

Last year, Garden’s Alive/Springhill Nurseries bought a California company named Weeks Roses. Weeks is a wholesale grower of roses and has been doing so in their Wasco, California, location since 1938. “In addition to their rose lines, Weeks also offers a premium selection of edible fruit and ornamental trees,” their catalog says.

Why do I mention an acquisition that took place last May? Well, I don’t know if anyone will remember me mentioning last fall that Springhill had removed their massive test gardens that stretched along South Hyatt. I was seriously bummed to see them ripping out all those plants, shrubs, and trees.

Well, I have it on good authority that the space was cleared to make room for a Weeks Roses test garden. That’s right, soon there could be a massive rose garden planted along Hyatt Street featuring tens of thousands of roses. Wow.

Tipp City TV

Every wish you could watch TV shows dedicated to Tipp City, or enjoy old episodes of the Get Social Show, which starred me and my friend and City Councilman Mike McDermott? Well, over the Christmas break, I was trying to figure out how to upload our Get Social videos to the Internet where everyone could enjoy them. Unfortunately, YouTube limits their uploads to 15-minute segments, so I was going to have to chop up all of the shows into smaller pieces, making for a lot more work.

I finally found a solution that lets me upload entire episodes and, even better, puts the shows and other videos in rotation on a website that anyone can access. At TippCityTV.com, I’ve created what is essentially a 24-hour TV station dedicated to Tipp City.

In addition to old Get Social episodes, I also uploaded a smattering of Tipp City videos, including Matt Spangler’s narrated Opera House tour, the Tipp City Resume video created by the city in 2004 to encourage businesses to relocate here, Bucher’s Beat appearances at Winter’s Gatherings past, and a story that Fox 45 ran on the opening of the Big Robot Game Café.

I’m looking for more videos and for suggestion—what would you like to see on the channel? I’m also hoping people will send me videos or upload them and let me know about it.

In addition to the 24-hour channel, all of the clips and shows are available in a Video Library on the same page. If you’re hankering to hear Mike and I talk about the time Touchdown Jesus caught fire and burned down, just go to “Get Social Episodes,” find the right show, and hit “Play.” It will replace the live station with your selection—and go back to the live channel when it’s finished.

Ginghamsburg Church Hosts Family Flick

The folks out at Ginghamsburg Church are hosting a Family Flick Night on January 20, when they’ll be presenting the family animated movie “Rio.” Admission is free, but they ask that you help support their New Path Food Pantry by bringing along a canned food item as a donation for each person in your group.

And they’re inviting everyone to show up in the PJs! “Bring a blanket, pillow and your camera, as this promises to be a night you’ll never forget!” They will also be selling pizza at a nominal cost. If you have questions, please see the church website at www.ginghamsburg.org or call Kelly Flora at 667-1069, extension 260.

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com and drop me a line using the “Contact Me” page. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

Our friends over at Disney wanted to share this Christmas activity book with our readers. Since Tipp Schools has let out for the rest of the year and TCEP’s last day is tomorrow, we thought it would be great to share this FREE download with hurried Moms and Dads for their kids to work on over break. Enjoy the holiday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Click to Download and Print the Muppet’s Holiday Activity Book

As years go by and I get older the reasons for being excited over Christmas change. I used to not be able to sleep the night before Christmas because I was so anxious to open the gifts and now I require my 8 hours before unwrapping my new pair of socks. The thrill of a snow covered ground is now replaced by the dtead a sore back from shoveling. And the luster of decorating the tree is dimmed by the struggle of untangling all the lights.

Now don’t misunderstand, I’m not a Scrooge. I still take delight in the many good tidings of comfort and joy during the Christmas season, they have just been altered. For the past two years I have not counted down the days until the annual airing of Rudolph (or even the Victoria Secret Fashion Show, which interestingly was on right after), but instead my anxiety reserved for getting to hear Dustin Farris sing “O’ Holy Night” at La Comedia.

A highlight of my holiday season, has become hearing the soul stirring rendition of the classic hymn sang by Farris. Every note is hit to perfection, creating a most blessed sound that resonates within your entire being. It’s such a splendid gift that by the end I felt the same as when I was 10 years old and got my first bike without training wheels!!!

It was last Christmas when I first heard Farris sing “O’ Holy Night’ and by around June I started looking forward to this years holiday show, in hopes that he would be back. There are certain moments in music history that stand out above all others; such as when Michael Jackson first did the Moonwalk, The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and of course, mmmmbob by Hanson. For me, hearing Farris sing my favorite carol is now atop that list.

Furthermore, the singing of “O’ Holy Night,” is just a bonus, added on after the performance of a full length stage production. The show is ‘A Christmas Carol,’ and it’s a top notch production, but in my mind it’s just the opening act for the main event. It made no difference what was on the playbill, I was going for the sole purpose to hear Farris, and for the sweet potato soufflé, plus the papaya chutney salad dressing and the Norwegian Cod and…well, for the food AND to hear Farris.

Truth be told, as great as ‘A Christmas Carol,” is, “O’ Holy Night” sang by Dustin Farris is worth the price of admission alone. I guarantee that you will leave La Comedia with a thankfulness for having come and heard his rendition. And don’t just take my word for it, just the other day a woman who lives down the street went and her exact words were, “The guy who sings ‘Holy Night,’ is worth the price of admission.” You’ll be saying the same thing.

Give yourself a present of some extra Christmas excitement and visit La Comedia. ‘A Christmas Carol,’ featuring “O’ Holy Night,’ by Dustin Fariss will continue through December 31.

LEO Weekly’s Sara Havens Compiles a Four-Year Journey in Newly Released Book

Writer Sara Havens, lovingly known for her Bar Belle column in LEO Weekly, has released a new book appropriately titled, The Bar Belle. The book features 100 of her most choice columns from 2006-2010, and covers everything from Louisville nightlife and hangover cures to the latest in bars, cocktails and watered-down American swill.

Havens will be signing and selling her books at select locations throughout Louisville in November and December. She promises this is prose that tastes great and is less filling.

Sara is a Tipp City native who graduated from Scripps School of Journalism in 1999 with a focus on Magazine Journalism from Ohio University. She currently serves as the arts and entertainment editor and columnist for an alt-weekly, The LEO Weekly, in Louisville, Ky. Her first book, entitled The Bar Belle is a compilation of her columns.  She has her finger on the pulse of Louisville’s nightlife and filters her stories and experiences through comedy, personality and a dedicated quest for cheap beer. You may spot her behind the bar from time-to-time at a Waterfront Wednesday event, but most likely you’ll find her enjoying a sidecar on a barstool near you. She enjoys bourbon, puppies and short walks to the bar.

Book Readings/Signings:

Nov. 10, 6-8 p.m.

The Back Door, 1250 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Ky.

 Nov 16, 7 p.m.

Carmichael’s Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, Ky.

 Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m.

Rich O’s/New Albanian Brewing Company, 3312 Plaza Drive, New Albany, Ind.

Dec. 21, 5-8p.m.

Regalo, 982 Barret Ave., Louisville, Ky.

Checkout The Bar Belle’s daily reasons to drink on her blog at barbelle.leoweekly.com, or follow her on Twitter (@TheBarBelle).

The Bar Belle ($17.99) is also available for purchase at Amazon.com, LuLu.com, at Carmichael’s, ear X-tacy, Regalo and Destinations Booksellers, or by contacting the Bar Belle directly @TheBarBelle or facebook.com/TheBarBelle.

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