rimblr.com

Passing Time in the Plazas & Parks: All the world may be a stage, but some parts have richer backdrops than others. Town plazas are the perfect settings for watching everyday life unfold. Alive with people, these open spaces are no modern product of urban planners, but are rooted in the traditional Mexican view of society. Several plazas are standouts: Veracruz’s famous zócalo features nearly nonstop music and tropical gaiety. One look tells you how important Oaxaca’s zócalo is to the local citizenry; the plaza is remarkably beautiful, grand, and intimate all at once. Mexico City’s Alameda has a dark, dramatic history — heretics were burned at the stake here during the colonial period — but today it’s a people’s park where lovers sit, cotton-candy vendors spin their treats, and the sound of organ grinders drifts over the changing crowd. San Miguel de Allende’s Jardín is the focal point for meeting, sitting, painting, and sketching. During festivals, it fills with dancers, parades, and elaborate fireworks. Guanajuato and Querétaro have the coziest of plazas, while El Centro in Mérida on a Sunday can’t be beat.
Música Popular: Nothing reveals the soul of a people like music, and Mexico boasts many kinds in many different settings. You can find brassy, belt-it-out mariachi music in the famous Plaza de Garibaldi in Mexico City, under the arches of El Parián in Tlaquepaque, and in other parts of Guadalajara. Or perhaps you want to hear romantic boleros about love’s betrayal sung to the strumming of a Spanish guitar, or what Mexicans call música tropical and related cumbias, mambos, and cha-cha-chas.
Regional Folk Dancing: Whether it’s the Ballet Folklórico in Mexico City or the Ballet Folclórico in Guadalajara, the almost-nightly park performances in Mérida, or celebrations countrywide, these performances are diverse and colorful expressions of Mexican traditions.

travel.latimes.com

SUN., MAY 11 Breakfast For Mom Boy Scout Troop 127 hosts 45th annual Mother’s Day Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Malibou Lake Lodge, 29033 Lake Vista Drive, Agoura Hills. All-you-can-eat ham, eggs, pancakes, orange juice, coffee, tea, milk. Free door prizes, free flower, gift basket raffle. Steinway artist Steve Hall performs. Professional photographer on hand (extra cost). $5 for meal. Children 3 and younger, free. Jodi Regan, (818) 707-2995.
Science Fair White Oak Elementary School hosts Science Fair 6:30 to 8 p.m., 31761 Village School Road, Westlake Village. Students kindergarten to fifth grade give science demonstration, display results of science experiments. Free admission, open to public. Gina Amenta-Shin, (818) 889-1450.
Business Reception Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo Reception, 5 to 8 p.m., Sagebrush Cantina, 23527 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. Free.
American Folk Dancing West Valley Folk Dancers will dance 7:15 to 10 p.m., Canoga Park Senior Center, 7326 Jordan Ave. American dance “Mega Mambo” taught. For all ages, skill levels. Wear soft shoes. $4. (818) 591-9078.
Songmakers Show Fireside Concerts presents 10 acts from Songmakers organization, 8 p.m., Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. Each performer sings three songs. First come, first served seating. Adults only. $7 donation. Bob Kroll, (805) 499-3511, folksgr1@aol.com.
Active Adults Ventura County Over the Hill Gang hosts get-acquainted meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., at member’s home in Simi Valley. For active people age 50 and over. Club activities include skiing, hiking, biking, dinners, cultural events. Guests attend free. For directions, call Karen, (818) 7350987. www.vcothg.org.
Family Movie Night Mesa Verde Middle School’s Renaissance Club presents Family Movie Night with Pixar/Disney’s “Ratatouille,” lower field, 1400 Peach Hill Road, Moorpark. 6:30 p.m. snacks, playing on the field. 8 p.m. movie. Profits go to Renaissance program. Admission is donation. Pizza, candy, soda, coffee, popcorn for sale.

theacorn.com

Don't miss the 29th Annual San Gennaro Feast,
The biggest Italian Feast is now even BIGGER! You can experience the Las Vegas San Gennaro Feast two times this year. Double the FUN! Double the FOOD! Double the RIDES!
The Annual San Gennaro Feast is a yearly festival held in honor of the Saint, San Gennaro. The festival features a wide variety of ethnic food vendors, live national acts hourly on the main stage, a amusement rides and game fun for the whole family. The festival, held in Las Vegas, is one of the most popular festivals for locals and visitors from all over the world. Each festival expects to out-do the last, so don't miss out on the best Italian Heritage Celebration this side of Naples!
The Feast will be held at Flamingo Rd. off the 215. Go west on Flamingo, turn left at Grand Canyon Dr. In the shopping center next to Target, Sears and JCPenny. You know you're there when you smell the Italian sausage and peppers!

ktnv.com

I am a Greater Manchester police officer. Sweat rolls down my forehead–it’s morning, yet it’s already in the 90s. It doesn’t help that I’m wearing a flak vest, day-glow yellow jacket, and a heavy utility belt. I remember whom I am after the blast and begin barking commands into my radio and putting up my arms to control a crowd of onlookers–a motley mix of men and women, young and old, South Asian, white, and black, clad in soccer jerseys, tank tops, fall sweaters, pajamas, bathrobes–who scream and point from behind a hastily erected police barricade. Photographers snap away and journalists mouth into microphones.
“Cut!” barks an assistant director through a megaphone. The explosion was genuine, but the action is not. Ridley Scott is directing the Warner Bros. movie Body of Lies, starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, on East Eager Street in Baltimore last September. We rush to the side and clear the streets to let in the real emergency personnel.
I look around and the extras are buzzing about the explosion–many with trembling hands. As a former artillery captain, I’ve heard a few big bangs in my day, so I’m more interested in getting to the lemonade before the line stacks up. Scott walks past in a pristine white baseball cap and heads toward the explosion’s aftermath. Guess that’s a wrap for this scene; it’s not like they can do it over. I peel open my chartreuse jacket and see a man in a Hawaiian shirt with soot all over his face, one of the explosion victims.
“Hey, buddy, you can get cleaned up over there,” I say.
“What?” he says, cupping his ear. “Those jackets are kinda loud.”
Just another day in the life of an aspiring actor. I’ve been performing in some capacity all of my life, from leads in high-school theatrical productions to area opera companies, but always on the side. Just for fun, two years ago, I did my first Hollywood production as a background actor in Rocky Balboa in Philly. After a day on set in a scene with Sylvester Stallone, I was hooked. To brush up my acting chops, I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan on weekends and also studied under renowned acting guru Terry Schreiber, who taught Edward Norton. I found film work right away–in 2007 I appeared in 13 productions, from local independent films to bit parts in major features, mostly in Baltimore and Washington.

citypaper.com

The drought that drove large festivals out of Piedmont Park this year won’t stop Atlanta’s popular street festivals. The annual Inman Park Festival, set for April 26-27, draws a diverse crowd of thousands to the neighborhood of bungalows and small parks just east of Little Five Points.
In addition to mingling in the streets, an artists’ market, and people-watching, the Inman Park Neighborhood Association also presents a dance festival, a tour of homes, a quirky Saturday parade, and live pop, rock, jazz, country and world music bands under a tent on Euclid Avenue, in Delta Park and on Poplar Circle. Gay favorites Elise Witt and Cowboy Envy are among the scheduled musicians.
The streets of Inman Park are closed to through traffic during the festival, and parking is often a problem, so a shuttle bus is available. Information on all of the events and logistics is available on the festival’s website.

southernvoice.com

Tracie Winch argues 774 needs a variety of fill-in hosts.
COVERING news is generally no laughing matter, so why is ABC Radio constantly filling vacant chairs with comedians? A hint: it has nothing to do with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Here’s a just a few of the recent fill-in 774 ABC hosts: Rachel Berger, Catherine Deveny, Tracy Bartram, Julian Morrow, Wendy Harmer, Tony Moclair, Libby Gore, Mark Mitchell and Peter Rowsthorn. Not all of them would describe themselves first and foremost as comedians, but the public would.
Sometimes it’s refreshing, particularly if the red nose stays on and we all get a much-needed laugh. Provided they are actually funny, that is. But it’s generally a disaster when the red nose comes off and the comic transmogrifies into a serious journalist trying to cover serious news seriously.
It’s even worse when they mock a sensitive news event, trivialise it or omit key facts in order to deliver a gag. It’s hard to get a laugh out of a bushfire or flood, but they sure try.
Putting celebrities behind the mike on a station renowned for delivering news and information is a misguided attempt to snare a younger or new audience. Worryingly, it devalues the ABC currency.
The rusted-on older listeners think they’ve hit the FM dial by mistake and the younger ones, well, aren’t listening anyway and aren’t going to start when it’s a 45-plus comic or other B-grade celebrity trying to reinvent themselves.
I once had this experience in the mid 1990s when a soapie star whose character had been recently killed off, let’s call him James, reckoned he’d like a crack at current affairs.
I was the producer of 774’s drive program when the boss decided that we’d be crazy if we didn’t ride the Neighbours wave like the rest of the world.

theage.com.au

Now in its fifth year, the McDowell Mountain Music Festival has built a reputation for bringing some of the best blues, Americana, folk, Southern rock and jam bands to the Valley for the annual two-day summer music festival. This year’s lineup promises to be no exception, featuring both modern and classic acts to appeal to music lovers of all ages.
Friday’s highlights include reggae legends The Wailers, ’90s phenoms Blues Traveler and a headlining set by Australian roots rockers the John Butler Trio.
Saturday’s lineup features Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and popular jam band Gov’t Mule. An acoustic stage will feature stripped-down performances throughout the event by numerous local acts.
The festival also features a marketplace, camping and RV facilities, silent auctions and a “Kid’s Zone.” Perhaps the best part about the festival is that all the profits benefit Golden Gate Community Center and Phoenix Day Family and Child Learning Center, so you’re getting great music for a great cause.
McDowell Mountain Music Festival, Westworld Polo Grounds, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 602.343.0453, April 25, noon, April 26, 10 a.m., $40-$150

ecollegetimes.com

The motto of Sorrentino’s 17th Annual Garlic Festival is “Eat, Drink, Stink.” So, in the spirit of all things garlic, my dining companions and I ate garlic, we drank garlic, and yes, we stank of garlic. In fact, you may want to read this article at arm’s length; although it will have been many days, hours, minutes and seconds since my actual consumption of the garlic, I probably still stink. Lucky me.
This was my first real exposure to the homage of this pungent herb. I was fortunate enough to have a relatively solitary day planned, one which involved minimal human contact, so the night before I decided to take full advantage by indulging in copious amounts of garlic.
I gathered up a group of willing (and not so willing) participants and we descended upon Sorrentino’s West. My memory of this particular Sorrentino’s was slightly foggy, but involved a somewhat dingy strip mall not far from West Edmonton Mall. But the strip mall surrounding the busy parking lot we pulled into was upscale, inviting and transformed. It also housed a cupcake bakery, a yoga studio and the essential fashionable coffee shop—everything you need to make it through your day.
The strip mall wasn’t the only recipient of a facelift. One step into Sorrentino’s West and all evidence of the functional but somewhat lacklustre previous décor was nowhere to be found. The restaurant was laid out as a semi-circle, doing away with the severe lines and boxy interiors that square spaces so often fall victim to. A curvy, glass-block wall led us to the reception desk and a better glimpse of the rest of the room. My eyes welcomed the dark wood tables and booths, soothing colours and funky, twisty lights.
Sorrentino’s has a large, all-encompassing menu, but I set that aside in favour of the dazzling red, attention-grabbing, garlic-laced menu. My eye immediately wandered to the small section occupying the bottom corner, highlighting the featured wine and beer. I read it twice just to be certain but, sure enough, there was actually a garlic wine and a garlic beer listed. In the mood for adventure, I couldn’t resist the temptation.

vueweekly.com

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Red” Rohrbaugh and his tea kettles played a role in movies made in Georgia.
Mr. Rohrbaugh retired from Eastern Airlines and wended his way into blacksmithing. Then, on a lark, he decided to become an extra in movies being filmed in the Atlanta area.
“He had a kind of unique look and a unique voice, so they would pick him right off the bat,” said his son, Mike Rohrbaugh of Alpharetta.
Filming 1994’s “The War” with Kevin Costner, Mr. Rohrbaugh brought tea kettles onto the set that he had fashioned on his forge. The movie makers used them as props in the period movie about the Confederate prison in Andersonville, his son said.
Mr. Rohrbaugh was an extra in “Getting Out” starring Rebecca De Mornay and was the cemetery caretaker in 1995’s “Fluke” starring Matthew Modine, his son said. Thereafter, Mr. Rohrbaugh had fun telling new acquaintances, “You didn’t know I was a movie star, did you?”
He was better known as a blacksmith and for the copper and other metal pieces he created and sold at craft fairs such as the Georgia Renaissance Festival in Fairburn and Powers’ Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival in Newnan.
The funeral for Glenn E. “Red” Rohrbaugh, 83, of Union City, formerly of Fairburn, is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Parrott Funeral Home. He died of respiratory failure Friday at Piedmont Fayette Hospital.
Mr. Rohrbaugh was a brick and stone mason when he went to work for Eastern in the 1960s. He retired as supervisor of fueling and cleaning at age 57. For a second income, he hobbled a few of the family’s horses as he learned to shoe them, then became a professional farrier, a term he did not like, his son said.
Horseshoeing put Mr. Rohrbaugh at the forge and that led to fashioning iron and copper decorative and useful pieces — knives, tea kettles, cups, ladles, trivets, pots, pot hangers, fireplace tools, weather vanes, gates, hooks, hinges and latches. His cutouts of cats, dragons, pigs, unicorns and other animals were crafted from patterns drawn by his late wife, Katherine Rohrbaugh.

ajc.com

Selected News Stories for Week Ending Friday March 21st, 2008.
* to read these and other stories in complete detail, with images, please visit: http://www.Send2Press.com/newswire/
* PMI Financial Announces New Casino Contract
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — President and CEO Frank Manley of PMI Financial, a provider of ATM (Automated Teller Machine) service with contractual second party cash advance solutions for the gaming industry, announced today a new multi-year contract with Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, a Port Madison Enterprise and an agency of the Suquamish Tribe, where PMI will provide ATM service.
* Mr. Golf Etiquette and Keepers of the Game Prescribe Sanction for Hawk-Killing Golfer
SEATTLE, Wash. — Most people are aware of the controversy created when professional golfer Tripp Isenhour killed a red-shouldered hawk by intentionally hitting golf balls at it. Isenhour’s claim that he was merely trying to scare the bird away and that it was a million-to-one shot seem unlikely at best and a blatant lie at worst.
* Friends of Dogwood Fundraising Efforts - Atlanta Dogwood Festival
ATLANTA, Ga. — For its 72nd year, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival has added Friends of Dogwood Events that will allow festival goers to enjoy a private restaurant tasting, beverage samples and even access to private restrooms during the festival. The perks continue throughout the year with a variety of Friends of Dogwood events and partnerships with other organizations.
* Breakthrough in Handwriting Analysis Leads to Revolutionary Hiring Tool
TEMECULA, Calif. — Written Inc. has developed a breakthrough technology which has led to the first significant improvement to the 150-year-old science of handwriting analysis. This week, the company released the latest version of their personality assessment tool, Candidate Insight(TM).
* Metrofunk Launches into Public Beta
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Metrofunk, the first online social network devoted to nightlife, fashion, film, and music announced today that Metrofunk.com has officially launched into public beta. All the content of the site will now be freely available for public viewing when non-members go to the site.

send2press.com