Warming Center's schedule still has a week to fill

Does your church have a basement or hall? Do you have parishioners who want to help the area’s homeless population? 

During the winter the Macomb County Warming Center, a faith-based, nondenominational organization and area churches work together to provide shelter (and a hot meal) for people in need.

Arrangements have been made for a good portion of the winter months but there is still an opening.

“Local churches are coming forward to offer space in their buildings but we still have one week during December (week before Christmas) to fill,” said Kathy Goodrich, executive director of The Macomb County Warming Center. “We will offer assistance including our own professional security and intake staff, volunteers, cleanup and supplies.” 

Visit The Macomb County Warming Center and Ray of Hope Day Center  for further information, call 586-321-0998 or email, Kathy@macombcountywarmingcenter.org

HOMEWORKS: Be prepared in storms

Despite the walloping winds created by Frankenstorm (aka superstorm Sandy), our power is still on. Fingers crossed that it remains so. Power outages are impossible to predict and when they do hit, there’s no telling how long they will last. It’s for this reason all of us need to be prepared.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other emergency preparedness specialists offer the following guidelines for making it through a power outage safe and sound.
Unless you’re planning to abandon ship and head to the nearest hotel with room service, it’s a good idea to have a supply of food that does not require refrigeration. According to the CDC, if the refrigerator or freezer loses power for two hours or less, then the food inside will be safe to consume. Even so, to maintain a cooler temperature avoid opening and closing the refrigerator and freezer door.
“When the power is out for longer than two hours, different rules apply,” according to the CDC. “If the freezer is half full, food will be safe to consume for 24 hours. If the freezer is full, then the food will be safe for 48 hours.”
If the power is out for more than two hours, store milk and other dairy products, meat, fish, gravy and anything that can spoil in a cooler surrounded by ice. The CDC also recommends using a food thermometer to check the temperature of food before cooking and eating. If the food has a temperature greater than 40 F, it should be discarded.
If you live in an area where repairs take a long time, consider filling the bathtub with water for washing and flushing. It is also a good idea to pick up an extra case of bottled water. Keep it stored in a cool place (not freezing) and away from any heat sources (to protect the integrity of the plastic bottle).
Once winter hits, consider filling clean plastic milk jugs with water and put them outside to freeze solid. If the power goes out they can be used in a cooler to keep food cold, or as a source of fresh water.
A report by the Farmer’s Almanac offers this tip, “As soon as the power goes out, drape all windows with blankets or whatever you have. Uncover south-facing windows during the day to let in the sun’s warmth.” The Farmer’s Almanac also advises homeowners to choose one room in which people – and pets – gather together and close off the doorway to allow the collective body heat to accumulate in the room.
A lot of homeowners, having dealt with continuous power outages, invest in generators. However, they are machines that require proper handling: If you’ve never used one, talk to the salesperson about how to use it and/or read the directions carefully.
Have candles and flashlights in areas designated for emergency equipment. Wrap a piece of glow-in-the-dark tape to your flashlight to make it easy to find. 
“Family members with elderly relatives who live alone should make every effort to contact those relatives and ensure everything is all right,” according to the CDC report. “Make sure the elderly or the ill have adequate food, clothing, shelter and sources of heat. If necessary, insist elderly or ill friends and family stay over until the power comes back on.”
This will also help authorities and hospitals that might be dealing with a backlog of problems created by superstorms like Sandy.
For more information on safely making it through a power outage, visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov.

Today's bridal couples want to be different but trendy too

 A dream wedding is something different for everyone although there is one thing that remains consistent, and that is the bride's desire to be trendy.

"(That being said) one of the biggest trends going away is the DIY wedding," said Samantha Roberts, editor of WeddingChannel.com, a popular online wedding and gift registry, and sister site of TheKnot.com. “Brides are moving toward a more sophisticated wedding, still very personal, but Cosmo rather than Martha Stewart.”

Speaking of sophisticated -- who could forget last year's nuptials between Britain's Prince William and wife Kate? The royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's was viewed by millions, many of whom paid particular attention to her gown.

"Kate Middleton's dress had sleeves," Roberts said. "So a lot of designers were putting sleeves on gowns after that." 

Another wedding that changed the course for many a bride and bridal designer was Reese Witherspoon.

"(She) wore a blush-colored dress for her wedding," Roberts said. Thus, prompting brides to consider shades outside the traditional choices of white or ivory.

For brides with children all, all eyes are on celebrity mom Angelina Jolie. Ever since she and Brad Pitt announced their engagement in April rumors have been swirling with regards to how their six children (three of whom are adopted) will be involved in the wedding (or if there will be a wedding).

"They're doing it for their kids," Roberts said, of the couple's decision to finally tie the knot. This will be Jolie's third marriage and Brad Pitt's second marriage. Jolie was previously married to British actor Jonny Lee Miller and American actor Billy Bob Thornton while Pitt was previously married to "Friends" actress Jennifer Aniston (who ironically is also engaged to be married this year).

"The couple has already exchanged watches," Roberts said, adding that watches are a very traditional gift for weddings. This would lead one to think the wedding is in the works. 

"We think they're going to get married on their estate in the south of France," Roberts mused. The biggest clue to that being the fact that they had a chapel built on the estate. As for the bride's dress Roberts said Jolie loves Versace, Armani. Roberts also sees the possibility of a wedding dress by Monique Lhuillier. Whatever name she chooses it is likely to be something silky, sexy and maybe slit. "The slit dress is easy to move around in, which is important to someone who has six kids," Roberts said. "And her jewelry, I think she's going to keep simple. Maybe earrings or a necklace, she has a beautiful engagement ring so she doesn't need to add a lot to that."

If she wears a halter neckline Roberts said she might choose to wear her hair pulled back. "Hopefully, Brad cuts his hair and shaves his beard," Roberts said of the groom, adding that she's guessing he will go for the formal and clean-shaved look since his parents are likely to be there along with some very close friends (George Clooney, for sure). There are several reasons for the trend toward a smaller, more intimate wedding, which is what Roberts sees in the works for Brangelina and predicted for Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, who took their vows during an intimate ceremony in southern Italy, attended by family and close friends. A smaller celebration ensures more privacy and less paparazzi and expenses. This trend makes the destination wedding, even more appealing. Always fashionable but also creative, Timberlake is said to have helped in the design of his custom Tom Ford tuxedo. Ford’s tuxedo are the rage, especially since James Bond (Daniel Craig) has been seen wearing them on the red carpet and big screen.  

This trend makes the destination wedding, even more appealing.

Of the celebrities likely to wed away from home is Jennifer Anniston and Justin Theroux. "I think a destination wedding would fit her personally, maybe Cabo San Lucas," Roberts said. "I am thinking something on a secluded beach. She's a big fan of Mexican food so we could see her incorporating that and for a dress? Versace, Dior, maybe Dolce & Gabbana."

No matter what designer she chooses it will definitely be form-fitting, flowing and sexy. "She has one of the best bodies in Hollywood," Roberts said.

Again, these are only predictions for other people.

"It's important to make the wedding personal," Roberts said. Be happy with what you want rather than trying to please parents, guests, or anyone else.

Katerina Bocci 
to appear 
in Northville

Katerina Bocci was among the fashion elite chosen to launch her luxury bridal gown collection at New York Bridal Fashion Week. Now, Michigan brides will have the opportunity to see the collection. 

When: Saturday, Nov. 1

Where: Elizabeth Bridal, 402 S. Main Street, Northville, MI 48167.

What: Brides-to-be will have full access to the entire Couture Bridal Collection.

This is the fifth collection for Michigan’s couture bridal designer, who aims to encompass each brides’ unique sense of style, featuring opulent finishes such as impeccable hand beading, silk roses and glamorous belts made with Swarovski trim and stones. Using only the finest fabrics, including 100-percent silk shantung, silk organza, silk taffeta, Duchess silk and tulle in an array of whites, ivories, creams, and on-trend color, Chai, Bocci created a range of designs suitable for the most formal affairs; chic, city weddings; and dresses perfect for destination and outdoor ceremonies.

For more information about the trunk show visit Elizabeth Bridal
Katerina Bocci Design Studio is open from Tuesday-Sunday at 14232 Rick Drive in Shelby Township. Visit the studio or click on Katerina Bocci

Be a nerd, make your own Halloween costume

You know Halloween is close when you bump into a werewolf and two zombies while shopping at your local grocer. Yesterday, as I turned the corner in Kroger, that is exactly what happened as I ran into a shopping cart filled with monsters. I held back a scream but the shocked look of my face had everyone in the aisle -- including the walking dead riding in the shopping cart -- chuckling with Halloween glee.

This weekend ushers in some of the biggest Halloween parties of the season, including the Halloween Spooktacular and Zombie Walk in Mount Clemens. Zombie costumes are deadly and easy to create. Just add some zombie makeup to your face, ears, arms, tattered clothes and you’re good to go walking (tip: the dead don’t walk, but instead drag their feet).  

The trick to a good Halloween costume is not so much how you do it – because everyone has their own idea of what a dead person should look like – but what you do. Once you come up with an idea, the treat is putting it together. 

Victoria Martinuzzi and Anthony Gallina

For those of you lacking creativity, here is a costume idea courtesy of Anthony Gallina, an undergraduate admissions adviser for Oakland University, and his fiancée Victoria Martinuzzi, Oakland County youth and family case worker, a young couple with imagination on a budget for time and money:

Willy Wonka Nerds Candy Costume

Supplies include: two cardboard boxes (big enough to fit inside), string, purple and pink acrylic spray paint (additional cans optional), white acrylic paint, paint brush, pencil, scissors, T-shirts (either purple or pink). 

Step 1: Begin by poking two holes in the front and back of the box. They should be near the top but not so close that the hole will break through. This is where the string will go so you can hang the boxes over your shoulder. If the box has any flaps this would also be a good time to tape them down (inside the box) so they don’t show.

Step 2: Spray paint your two cardboard boxes: One pink and the other purple. Anthony and Victoria recommend purchasing two cans of spray paint as the cardboard soaks it up quickly. For a darker color add a second coat. Set the boxes aside to dry.

Step 3: It’s time to draw. If two people are going as one box of candy place the two boxes side-by-side (back side down) and draw a design on the front of the two boxes similar to what you might see on a package of Nerds candy. If you’re going as a single box just do your own design. Not everyone can draw bubble letters let alone a candy logo. If you need help, Victoria suggests blowing up a picture (Google Nerds candy box) big enough to use as a stencil. “You can add as much or as little detail as you want,” says Victoria. “I traced the images with a black Sharpie so that the words/pictures came out more.” Note: The more accurate you are with regard to colors, the more authentic your package will look. Set the boxes aside to dry.

Step 4: Climb into the box and pull it up so it’s just below your armpits. Now cut a piece of string long enough to go from the hole in the back of the box, over your shoulder and into the hole at the front – you may need a helper to hold the box or cut the string to fit.

Step 5: Accessorize the costume. Think nerdy, as in thick black glasses (taped at the nose) and slicked back hair (for a guy) and off-balanced pony tails (for a girl). Anthony wore his jeans rolled up to reveal nerdy white socks and black sandals. Victoria wore a pair of dark pants and nerdy socks.

Send your comments or home and garden tips to Gina Joseph gina.joseph@macombdaily.com; @gljoseph