Blogs List
Momsense
 Betsy Bethel |
Halloween ruminationsWed, October 28, 2009 @ 1:32PM I am becoming more and more convinced that well-thought-out, logical and lovely sounding theories are about as useful in real life as an umbrella in a hurricane. Take my previous stance on Halloween. Of course, I loved Halloween as a kid — who doesn't love scoring pillow cases full of candy? In my idealistic 20s, though, I decided Halloween was an evil holiday, an unnecessary and unsavory celebration of evildoers and their dark deeds. I couldn't understand why we celebrated unsightly creatures of the undead and made murderous horror movie villains into holiday icons. Murder and Mayhem, Creepy and Crawly, Doomed and Dastardly are not my kind of people. Warm and Fuzzy are more my type. But then we started dressing up for Halloween at work every year. I admit, I have always loved playing dress-up! If we were like the British, we would find excuses to host "fancy dress" parties throughout the year, not just at Halloween. But since Halloween is the only time I can get away with dressing like the ghost of a Scottish bride, I decided to take it. My theory took a hit. My oh-so-conscientious conclusions about Halloween also suffered when I wrote an article a few years ago about the Day of the Dead, Dia de las Muertas, celebrated in many Latino cultures on Nov. 1, which is All Saints Day in the Roman Catholic Church. I learned that Latinos hold all-day vigils on the graves of their ancestors — more or less picnicking and partying in the cemeteries.
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Politically Fashionable
 Joselyn King |
Coal in the Stockings at the W.Va. State CapitolThu, October 29, 2009 @ 0:11AM First, happy Halloween. And I wish you a happy Thanksgiving. But quite frankly, I love Christmas. The sounds, the smells, the colors . . .it's the best time of year. So it made me happy when I heard the West Virginia Governor's Office is thinking ahead about this year's Christmas tree at the State Capitol. They're also not forgetting that West Virginia coal makes the power that lights that tree. First Lady Gayle Manchin is encouraging all classes – K to 12th grade – to create an “energy” themed ornament to be displayed on the State Capitol Christmas tree, the one located in the Capitol Rotunda. Every classroom in the state is invited to submit an ornament that reflects or represents energy in some way. The ornaments will be classified in four divisions according to grade: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each ornament will be individually judged, and four winning classes will be selected, one from each division. Those classes will get a visit from Gayle Manchin during the holiday season -- and presumably a temporary break from classwork. The ornaments and the Christmas tree will be unveiled in conjunction with Joyful Night, the annual holiday celebration at the State Capitol, held in early December. During the holidays at the Governor’s Mansion, the winning ornaments will be displayed in the Grand Foyer, and in January 2010, then the winning ornaments will be donated to the West Virginia State Museum for their permanent collectio.
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Myer on Politics
 Mike Myer |
"Opt-out" a cop-outTue, October 27, 2009 @ 5:19PM Liberal senators who want "the public option" - a gigantic government insurance program - included in a health care bill are being disingenuous. They insist that their plan is all right because it will include a stipulation allowing states to "opt out" of the government insurance program. In reality, no state would "opt out." How would you like to be the governor and legislators who tell tens of thousands of voters - already told by Washington what a great thing the public option is - that it won't be available in your state? Ready for a new career after politics? It doesn't matter whether the public insurance program is good. Millions of people will be assured by the federal government that it is - and they will believe i.
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"Out There"
 Phyllis Sigal |
Back on Broadway!Thu, October 29, 2009 @ 3:06PM Aaron Galligan-Stierle, whose theater career I enjoy following, is back on Broadway! The 1998 Wheeling High School graduate was cast as Henry Ford in a spring production of "Ragtime" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. His Broadway debut was as Papa Who in “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” And now, "Ragtime" has begun previews Oct. 23 at the Neil Simon Theater, and will open on Nov. 15. Here is my latest Q&A with the actor. PRS: What is the difference — emotionally, physically, production-wise — in those two "openings" (previews and opening night)? AG-S: Both are very exciting, emotional times. The first Preview is the first time we get the opportunity to share our story with an audience. It is sort of scary and thrilling as we get to try out all the things we found in the rehearsal room and see if they work. Over the next three weeks of previews, we have a chance to fine tune all of the the things that our audiences teach us ... we see how they respond and adapt accordingly. Technical elements, such as lighting and costumes, also continue to be tweaked to achieve maximum effect. At the end of this "preview" time, we create a true finished product and share that on "Opening Night." It involves an immense amount of hard work, professionalism and concentration, but it is absolutely worth it as we try to find the absolute best way to tell our story and then share t.
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Heather's Corner Desk
 Heather Ziegler |
What's All the Fuss?Mon, October 26, 2009 @ 10:49AM What is all the fuss about President Obama playing a basketball game at the White House with his male friends? I guess some Washington wags (nags?) are complaining that the president did not invite any women to play or attend his pick-up basketball game. WHAT? No WOMEN? That's why we have the YMCA and the YWCA. I don't understand the concern here. Do you really want to be step in step, sweat in sweat with guys playing hoops? Did you think they would be discussing public policy or war or the economy during the game? I think not. Mostly they were trying to outdo one another on their three-point shots and blocking one another's layups. Let's get serious about the news business. When I heard the uproar I wanted to throw up my toast on Sunday morning. I was embarrassed to be counted among the female media of this country. Listen, ladies, if you want to be regarded as serious journalists, then stick to serious journalism. Whenever I hear these kinds of stories, I cringe. It's OK for blogs, columns or the fluff-page, but real news, I don't think s.
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