Welcoming out-of-town guests to your home

Sharing your home for the holidays is a Christmas tradition everyone should experience at least once. For those who know what they're doing, it can be an event that is cherished long after the holidays are over.

So Aunt Millie is coming to town? Face the date and get cracking.

To help with the process, here's a game plan from one of the best penny pinchers I know, Ashley Grimaldo, whose advice for frugal-minded families has appeared here as well as "Redbook" and "The Chicago Tribune":

Create a meal-sharing spreadsheet.

"After a decade of gathering for Thanksgiving with my mother's extended relatives, we finally wised up and started assigning cooking and cleaning to each family," said Grimaldo. "We... made sure each group knew what they were responsible for. Make the most of Facebook and send out small group messages."

Prepare the guest rooms with necessities.

Your guests should have two towels, extra linens and enough toiletries to get them through the weekend. Once the room is stocked, let them know where they are and what to do if they need something else such as aspirin. "Don't forget to leave a few bestsellers and magazines on the nightstand for late-night reading," Grimaldo added.

Do a guests-are-here drill with the family.

"Most of us don't have spare rooms lying around throughout our house. Your guests will most likely need to encroach on current inhabitants," Grimaldo said. "If those evicted youngsters are under 3, let them share a room with their older siblings a couple nights ahead so they will sleep well when company arrives."

Plan activities to burn off calories and steam. 

"Two big ideas here: You will eat far more than you should (despite your steely resolve) and cabin fever leads to badness (as dramatized in 'The Shining')." A brisk walk gives family members time to talk, wear off dinner and enjoy nature.

What's going on around town?

Find out what shows, plays or fun activities might be going on around town and give your guests the option to attend. If you've got snow consider gathering everyone together to build a snowman or go sledding. 

Be a good host and think ahead.

Rather than playing GPS on the night of arrival, send your first-time guests an email with map attachments and directions. Include other need-to-know stops nearby such as grocery stores and pharmacies.

Consider buying a good air mattress.

How many times have you had to borrow a mattress for overnight guests? Watch for sales after Christmas on quality air mattresses. After all, if you're finally going to get one, be sure it's durable and something even you wouldn't mind crashing on.

Ask about food allergies and what kids like to eat.

If you have someone with severe conditions, check for tips and recipes on sites such as Eating With Food Allergies

Spare the carpeting and the dishwasher.

Instead of mopping up spilled soda or constantly filling the dishwasher with unidentified empty cups, consider purchasing a batch of souvenir cups with lids to contain the mess and give your guests something to take home later. Have a permanent marker handy so everyone can autograph their own cup.

Consider the family's pets.

"If your cat-crazy relatives can't make it through the weekend without toting Whiskers along, address it ahead of time," Grimaldo said. "Consult this list of safety tips for dogs at "ASPCA For everyone's sake, ask your guest if the animal has any peculiar habits or needs such as a pet bed or chewy toys.

Send your comments or home and garden tips to gina.joseph@macombdaily.com.

'Performarama' tunes audiences into old time radio and local talent

If you have the funds there is no limit to the amount of entertainment available during the holidays. However, for the average family on a tight budget, the long list of things to do becomes a short list of priorities.

Orson Welles.

Topping the list of priorities are soirees that support local talent such as "Performarama" at The Magic Bag theater in Ferndale, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. 

What makes this event especially nice is a portion of the proceeds will go to support the marketing and promotion of a local movie and the Michigan Chapter of Alzheimer's Association.

The 2-hour show being presented by Michigan film and stage director Brian Lawrence and producer Aida Munoz features professional actors performing an old-time radio show like those your grandparents talk about when reminiscing about Christmases when they were a child. In those days, families gathered around the radio to hear shows such as "Little Orphan Annie," "The Lone Ranger" and “The Green Hornet,” just to name a few. If their town was lucky enough to be chosen as a spot on the tour, they would purchase tickets to see their favorite radio show performed live at a nearby theater or auditorium.

"Performarama" gives audiences that chance.

A troupe from the Actor's Workshop in Royal Oak will perform a funny skit from the radio days of yesteryear, "The Uranus Players Theater presents Nick Danger - Third Eye." 

Performarama actors, left to right are: Lauren Allen, Robin Mudge,

Ann Marie Lamphier and Jennifer Masty (Harrison Township).

"It'll be hilarious," Lawrence said. Besides being a great spoof on radio, other than the animation specials on TV, how often do you get to see film actors performing for radio? Like the classic stars of yesteryear, they'll be doing all of the voices and sound effects?

The evening, which will be emceed by comedic radio personality Blaine Fowler from WDVD-FM (96.3)'s morning show, "Blaine and Allyson," also features performances by actor and singer Jeff Caponigro, and recording artist Stewart Francke, who has opened for superstars such as Bob Seger and Sheryl Crow and whose own mother-in-law fought the darkness of Alzheimer's Disease. 

"Stewart is a great talent and someone who has been incredibly generous with his time in the past to benefit important charity causes. We very much appreciate his willingness to come perform a few songs at this important event," said Lawrence, adding that L'Stubbs -- a vocal quintet featuring Thelma Stubbs-Mitchell, sister of legendary Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops, and four of his nieces, Pamela Fuller, Shelia Stubbs-Taylor, and Ronda and Robin Pierce -- are also guests. 

"It should be a really exciting evening at The Magic Bag," Lawrence said.

Tickets for the eclectic concert and radio show performance are $25 in advance; $30 at the door or online here. Food courtesy of Kerby's is included. Although it's a clean comedy show, the cash bar limits entrance to only those 21 and over. The Magic Bag is at 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Event hotline: 248-544-3030; Email: info@themagicbag.com.

Magic show to benefit Goodfellows

It's going to be a magical night for children.

As Clintondale Community Theater presents, "Reflections - A Great Evening of Magic," an entertaining evening featuring some of the area's most talented magicians performing their magic so that no child goes without a Christmas, Friday, Dec. 2.

"I've been on tour in Asia for the past two years and I wanted to come home and do a show," said illusionist Keri Kazz, who is among the headliners scheduled to appear.

Other performers at the family-friendly show will include juggler, Rufus The Dufus, magician Dave Schneider and ventriloquist David Mitchell. Special guests will include Rosie The Clown and Frostie The Snowman.

All proceeds from the event go to benefit the Mount Clemens and Clinton Township Goodfellows!

Clintondale Community Theater auditorium is located at 35200 Little Mack (enter off 15 Mile Road, east of Little Mack between Gratiot and Groesbeck) in Clinton Township. General Admission Tickets are $10 at the door. Show starts at 7 p.m. 

TODAY'S MUSE

That's the thing with magic. You've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you -- Charles de Lint, Celtic folk musician and storyteller.

Dig deep, there's a gold mine of scholarships to be had

Photo courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

President Reagan posing outside the oval office:6/6/83

Right about now, many college students or undergrads are busy collecting a few more hours of community service, letters of recommendations and transcripts in anticipation of the 2012 season of college scholarships.

While most students will apply for funds offered by clubs and organizations, there are others who, having done some excavating, know there are nuggets of obscure scholarships just waiting to be unearthed by some worthy student.

Did you know there's a scholarship that honors the legacy and character of our nation's 40th president, Ronald Reagan? Like President Reagan, candidates use the formative experiences of their youth to lead, serve and pursue a life of purpose and significance, both individually and for their communities. Each year, roughly 20 scholars will receive a $10,000 scholarship renewable for an additional three years.
There's $40,000. Apply here by Feb. 17, 2012:

The Ursinus College Creative Writing Award, honoring the creative work of The Catcher in the Rye, author J.D. Salinger not only awards recipients a whopping $30,000 but the honor of living in the author's former dorm room. J.D. Salinger once attended Ursinus College, and it seems the school is looking for its next great writer in residence with this scholarship. Applicants must share a portfolio of creative work in fiction and/or poetry in the spirit of “Catcher in the Rye's” unusual perspective, brilliance and voice. What's interesting about this scholarship is it is known on campus as "Not the J.D. Salinger Scholarship."

First page of The Catcher in the Rye.

 The New York Times article “J.D. Salinger Slept Here (Just Don't Tell Anyone)” explains the incident in detail.

As the story goes... 

The school was hoping to attract publicity for Ursinus and tried everything they could think of to lure Salinger from the secluded world he'd lived in for his final 50 years. They offered to make him a guest lecturer; to build a literary festival around him; to award him an honorary degree. "No response," said Richard DiFeliciantonio, the vice president for enrollment at the small liberal arts college. "Absolutely nothing."

Then Jon Volkmer, an English professor, had what Holden Caulfield would have called a goddam terrific idea. They could establish an annual J.D. Salinger Scholarship in creative writing for an incoming freshman, and as a bonus the winner would get to spend the first year at Ursinus in Salinger's old dorm room. "Any college could offer money," Professor Volkmer said. "Nobody else could offer Salinger's room."

2011 Grand Prize Winner.

Also on the list of obscure and often unknown is the annual Stuck at Prom scholarship contest. 

In this case it's not academics that garner cash but imagination, creativity and gumption. For 11 years now, Duck brand duct tape has offered a Stuck at Prom scholarship contest, which awards $5,000 scholarships to the couple with the most creative use of duct tape in their prom outfits. What's particularly nice about this scholarship is the winner's school also gets $5,000.

Not your cup of tea?

Check out the full listing of 30 Obscure Scholarships That Actually Exist posted here

TODAY'S MUSE
I believe that true identity is found in creative activity springing from within. It is found when one loses oneself -- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Choirs invited to sing for Gleaners Community Food Bank

File photo by WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe

If you've ever thought about asking members of your choir to go Christmas caroling this would be the year to do it? Whole Foods Market in Troy is inviting local talent to spread cheer this holiday season while helping to feed those in need. 

"For every hour a choir sings, Whole Food Market will donate $50 in food to Gleaners Community Food Bank," said Dawn Danhausen, Whole Foods Market marketing and community relations specialist who came up with the idea. 

Whole Foods Market is hoping to have choir groups of five or less caroling throughout the store every weekend in December, between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  "We have a big heart but a small store so we have to limit the size of the choir," added Danhausen.

That's not to say you couldn't spread the cheer and have one group sing for an hour and anther singing after that.

How great is the need for help?

Last year, Gleaners Community Food Bank (www.gcfb.org) distributed more than 40 million pounds of emergency food to over 552 partner soup kitchens, pantries, schools and shelters in Macomb, Oakland, Monroe, Livingston and Wayne counties. "Of every dollar donated, 95 cents goes directly to food and food programs; one dollar provides three meals for a hungry neighbor," Danhausen said in her report.

Whole Foods Market Troy is at 2880 West Maple. For more information email, dawn.danhausen@wholefoods.com or call (248) 649-9600 ext 109.

TODAY'S MUSE

I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people who are convinced they are about to change the world. I am more awed by those who struggle to make one small difference after another -- Ellen Goodman, American journalist.

Tips for making the most of your time and money on Black Friday

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File

There's been a lot of discussion regarding Black Friday and stores opening earlier than ever, some even staying open through Thanksgiving.  The bottom line is families are anxious to save money. That's understandable. With Michigan's economy and family budgets being what they are, holiday shopping this year will depend on careful deal-hunting and focused buying. 

To help with the process here are a few Black Friday tips from the editors at Woman's Day Magazine , retailers and experienced Black Friday shoppers:

1. Make it a fun experience

For some shoppers Black Friday is an annual event. Those who are traveling long distances will even stay in a hotel. However, in order to make it enjoyable, all of the details are planned out carefully. For example: a group might meet on Thursday night (after Thanksgiving dinner) at the hotel. Once everyone has checked-in they will read through all of the Black Friday fliers to determine which stores they want to hit. A woman from Ontario who has planned a Black Friday girls' weekend for a number of years said she always includes a second option in case the lines at a particular store are too long to endure.

2. Read the fine print

Black Friday sales are designed to look fantastic. And it could very well be a great deal, but before you commit to purchasing any big ticket item (such as a big screen TV or recliner), make sure you read the fine print. "We found that, a lot of the time, the savings advertised are savings off the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), which is misleading," said Christine Frietchen, editor-in-chief of ConsumersSearch.com, a product review site. As she explained it, because stores usually price items below the MSRP anyway, those deals are not as great as they may seem. Other details to look for include store limits. Albeit a great deal, it could be that the special is limited to four products per store. So, if you are not among the first shoppers in line, you cannot count on scoring that bargain.

3. Do a search for coupons

Jeanette Pavini, consumer finance expert for Coupons.com said shoppers should never click "purchase" until they've searched for a coupon or discount code. Sites like Coupons.com and CouponMom.com were designed for exactly this, to find coupon deals such as free shipping, 10 percent off or buy one, get one free coupons available at stores such as Sephora, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble. Look for in-store coupons too. How often have you been standing in line at a store and noticed that the person next to you had a 50 percent off any regular-priced item coupon? It takes a few minutes to search for coupons but it can make a difference in the purchase of big ticket items.

4. Keep your receipts

What seems like a great idea on Black Friday when you're rushing to find something on your list may turn out to be a mistake once the excitement of the day wears off. "Even with the great deal you're getting, by the time the holiday comes and goes, your item or gift may be discounted even more," said Joanie Demer, cofounder of TheKrazyCouponLady.com. "In case it needs to be returned, you want to get full credit back."

5. Pay with cash

If you want to really save money on Black Friday, leave the credit cards at home. Experts will tell you that doing so not only saves you from paying the interest that will accrue if you can't pay off the balance in full, but it also helps you stay within your budget and avoid post-holiday debt.

6. Take full advantage of the sales

If you have the time and money, consider buying items that might not be on your Christmas list but that you know you'll need, such as a wedding shower, birthday or upcoming graduation. "Look for smaller ticket items in less heavily trafficked stores," said Teri Gault, co-author of "Shop Smart, Save More." "Not only will you likely get a deal, you'll be set for the rest of the year."

7. Arm yourself with shopping tools

There are plenty of apps that have been created specifically to help holiday shoppers get the best deals, so be sure to have your Smartphone charged for the trip. Black Friday Apps available for iPhones and Androids, let you browse "leaked" ads from more than 60 major retailers, and according to the report by Woman's Day, offers will be organized in one place so you can comparison shop or search for specific items when you're on the go. If you don't have a Smartphone, the information can also be accessed via the Web.

8. Follow through on rebate offers

If you're going to purchase an item that requires you to mail in rebates in order to cash in on savings, be prepared to do the paperwork - otherwise you didn't save a thing. "Manufacturers count on people forgetting to mail in their rebates," Pavini said. "Make sure you get copies of the original receipt, the UPC Codes and any other information the manufacturer needs. Then mail it in."

9. Stay focused

A lot of the deals offered are designed to get you into the store, but not every single item will be a major sale. "They put the great bargains at the back of the store so you have to walk through everything else to get to them," said Frietchen. Shop with a list, a budget and stay focused. Also, getting the best price, if it takes all day may not save you money in the end. A smaller store might be offering the item you want at a higher price but you have to consider how much easier it will be to find a parking spot and getting in and out. The time you saved in one store might be used to find another great deal.

10. Stick to your budget

When you find that one incredible deal, do not be tempted to spend beyond your means. All of the stores will be offering shoppers the opportunity to open a store credit card to get extra savings, but be sure to think long and hard before you consider it. "Store credit cards are usually higher than bank cards. On average, a store credit card is between 21 and 24 percent. Some cards will increase that rate up to 30 percent if you are late on a payment," said Pavini. Here's an idea: Set up a buddy system so that whenever you are tempted to ditch the budget you have someone that you can call for advice.

TODAY'S MUSE

The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her -- Marcelene Cox

 

  

Thanksgiving delivers a box-office feast for area theaters

Arthur Christmas opens Nov. 23.

For many families the night before Thanksgiving is movie night. Whether it means pulling out the home movies and slides or a trip to the theater to see the newest holiday release, it’s a tradition that has been growing for years.

Among the holiday films opening tomorrow is “Arthur Christmas,” an action-adventure comedy set on Christmas eve, which reveals how Santa and his huge army of high-tech ‘combat elves’ can actually get round the whole world in one night.  Arthur Christmas is written by Oscar® nominated comedy writer Peter Baynham (Borat) and Britcom writer-producer-director Sarah Smith. At the heart of the film’s classic Christmas story is a family in a state of comic dysfunction and an unlikely hero: Santa’s youngest son, Arthur. When this amazing operation misses one child out of hundreds of millions of deliveries, he alone, must embark on a hilarious, exciting rogue mission against the clock with his politically incorrect grandfather Grandsanta and a gift-wrapping-obsessed elf named Bryony, to deliver the last gift before Christmas morning dawns.

To celebrate Arthur’s release and in anticipation of the holiday visits by families MJR Marketplace will present a special event featuring coloring and crafts, hot cocoa, gingerbread houses and more, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the theater located at 35400 Van Dyke Ave., in Sterling Heights.

Other family movies showing this week include: Jack and Jill (Rated: PG); Happy Feet Two (Rated: PG); Tower Heist (Rated: PG-13) and Puss in Boots (Rated: PG). Looking for great movies to rent? Check out this list of top classic holiday films:

•  It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

It's a Wonderful Life

• Miracle on 34^th Street (1947)

• White Christmas (1954)

• The Bishop’s Wife (1947

• A Christmas Carol (1951) or the version from (1984)

• A Christmas Story (1983)

• Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

• Babes in Toyland (1961)

• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

• The Polar Express (2004)

• Home Alone (1990)

• Elf (2003)

TODAY'S MUSE

Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?~ Clarence Oddbody, the angel from It's a Wonderful Life.