This week we are singing 'Hooray for Hollywood' as we look forward to the Academy Awards on Sunday. You will find some festive tips in this issue that will make it simple to host an awards party. A themed gathering of friends is always fun,... and Flashers, it's never too late to throw something together. So, get on the phone, send a text, release the carrier pigeons and get in touch with a few of your A-List friends! Sometimes 'last minute' is the only minute we have to make something incredibly fun happen.
That 'last minute' and I are quite good cronies and this week we became closer than ever! On Monday I realized that round trip tickets I won at an auction last year are getting ready to expire on February 29th. I couldn't let a chance to go anywhere in the continental USA slip away. So, I called one of my fun and adventurous friends in Miami, who unlike me is the planner to beat all planners! I was just going to toss it out there ... a last-minute trip to San Francisco this weekend! Well, lo and behold the moon, the stars, and everything else in our worlds aligned and as you read this we are on a plane singing... California Here We Come! I know I am leaving behind a fun filled weekend of events. Make sure you get out and enjoy some local fun for me. I am certain I will have stories to share with you in next weeks issue. So... Stay tuned and go turn a 'last minute' into an incredible memory!
Thank you~
Valerie Watkins
Publisher
2016 ACADEMY AWARDS SCHEDULE
The 2016 Oscars, hosted by Chris Rock, airs live this SUNDAY, February 28th. For you movie fans, here's the complete TV schedule:
Decorations: Red Fabric to line your entry will set the mood perfectly. Then getsome gold poster board and cut out large stars to tape to your fabric. (A plastic red table cloth works well too.) You can write the name of your guests on the stars your write in the names of the real nominees. Here is a link that shows a few fun ideas you can do with rolls of tickets.
Create entrance with red runner, gold stars, and gold/silver/black star balloons.
Wine bottles sprayed gold with white taper candles aglow.
Print out scenes from shows and float them on balloon strings
place flashlights inside kleenex boxes and spray boxes black
Music: Create a music mix by creating a CD of the top songs from the soundtracks of Oscar-nominated films. You can even pull from past soundtracks.
Menu: A tasting party is a great idea for an Oscar party. Here are a couple of links to websites that provide a fabulous and tasty selection of bite size yummies. Finger Bites and Mini Dessert Bites.
Drinks: Get ready to pour some 'bubbly' because Champagne is a must! You can also opt for sparkling cider. Click Here for the 'official Oscar Cocktail.
Games: Last week I told you how I love games. Get your guests involved andinterested by creating a betting pool. Have guests chip in $1 to $10 when they arrive, have ballots handy
for guests to pick winners, collect the ballots prior to the first award being given, and at the end of the evening determine who gets cash (most wins, most losses). You can also
download Bingo cards to play throughout the evening, giving simple prizes like candy or DVDs to the winners.
Swag bags: See post below! FUN - FUN - FUN!
THIS WEEKEND!
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So, FLASHERS...The 2016 Academy Awards 'Oscar' gift bag totes an amazing $232,000 worth or little surprises ranging from $6 chapstick, $25 Druzy earrings, $300 of personalized M&M's, to a 10 day all-expense-paid trip to Israel for $55,000! Party on! Click Here to see the complete list of goodies!
For your gathering you will want to have a little 'swag bag' for your guests. It might not include a brand new car, but you can have fun with it. You might even include a print out of what is in the 'real' Oscar bag with the items crossed out and your item listed. Go for the family pack of chapstick and you can get it for less than the oscar $6. :) Here is a sample:
$300 personalized M&M - Go to the dollar store and get the six pack of M&M for $1
$275 Joseph's Toiletries toilet paper ---- CHARMIN????
$54,000 Private 15-day walking tour of Japan ---- Fortune Cookie
$70 Signature Vodka ------- Vodka Mini
$31,200 lifetime supply of Pu-erh Nourishing Cream ---- Sample Ponds Cream from dollar store
$1,900 Vampire Breast Lift ------ Well I just don't know what to tell ya! :/
These are just a few suggestions. Go to the Oscar Swag List and come up with some of your own twists. You might want to out-do the Oscar SWAG by tossing in a fashion magazines and some microwave popcorn. Your friends will leave feeling like VIPs.
The Iconic Kingston Trio - March 4th
SOLD OUT!
A waiting list is being taken. Carpooling is strongly suggested.
Thank you for your support of our Masters of Music Series
His book The Finest Hours was made into a Disney Movie
and is currently in theatres.
Author Michael Tougias will be closing out this year's Celebrated Speakers Series on March 19. Performances are held on Saturday at 4 p.m. for $80 per seat; and 6:30 p.m. for $70 per seat, the latter offering a better selection of seats. This performance will be introduced by Lisa Rymer of Luminaries.
Mr. Tougias' captivating storytelling will bring us close to man's struggle to survive while he chronicles human adversity and ultimate triumph. He co-authored The Finest Hours, which has been purchased by Disney for a film starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck.
Tickets for Emerson Center performances may be purchased either online at http://www.TheEmersonCenter.org or by calling the Box Office at 772-778-5249. A special offer of discounted $50 tickets are available to all US Coast Guard active duty and veterans (and their spouses) for the 6:30 presentation. Student tickets for balcony seating will be sold for $20 for the 6:30 p.m. performance only. Tickets will be sold at the door with a student ID. There is an elevator to the 2nd floor balcony and seating for the physically challenged.
The Emerson Center is located on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, on the SE corner of 16th Street and 27th Avenue.
Hi, I'm called Precious because I am! I'm a beautiful Border Collie mix with lots of love to give and a great attitude, despite the fact that I have lost one eye. I promise you'll love me!
There are times when it's more convenient to hear an article than read one. Like when you're driving, cooking or taking a nice warm bubble bath.
Unlocking Siri's webpage reading power is easy. Go into your Settings app and then General > Accessibility > Speech. Turn on the Speak Screen option.
Then open Safari and surf to a web page. Once you're on the page you want Siri to read, swipe down from the status bar using two fingers and a Speak Screen box will pop up, and Siri will automatically start reading you the webpage - ads and all.
TODAY'S CHUCKLE
When Johnny Carson hosted the Oscars...
Johnny hosted the Academy Awards five times. In his opening monologues, he frequently included an audience joke. Here's a favorite:
"I see a lot of new faces here, - especially on the old faces!"
FLASH VIDEO OF THE WEEK
A MOMENT AT THE 1958 ACADEMY AWARDS
This is the 88th year for the Oscars and we thought you might enjoy this nostalgic look back at the Oscars of 30 years ago. The late Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas (Michael's father, who turned 99 last December) were extremely popular actors in the 50's, 60's and 70's. They were frequently nominated for the Oscar and eventually won awards, but as of 1958 it hadn't happened. Here is their response. Click here.
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FISH CALENDAR The darker the fish...The better the fishing!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
MAYO CLINIC'S CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE PACKETS
This fun and easy recipe is from Mayo's weight loss recipes, so I've included the nutrition information below. It's a whole meal for only 200 calories! The recipe is only for a single serving, but you can increase the number for your family....and no dirty pan to wash!
Ingredients
1 skinless, boneless chicken breast, about 3 ounces
1/2 cup diced zucchini
1/2 cup scrubbed and diced potato
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup sliced baby carrots
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350° F.
Cut off a 12-inch sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment paper. Fold the foil or parchment paper in half, unfold, and spray with cooking spray. Center the chicken breast on the sheet. Top with zucchini, potato, onion, carrots and mushrooms. Sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning over the top of the vegetables. Bring the foil together and make small, overlapping folds down the length of the packet to seal. Twist the two ends several times to make a tight seal so the liquid won't escape during cooking. Place the packet on a cookie sheet and put into the oven. Bake for 45 minutes until the chicken and vegetables are tender.
Serves 1.
Nutritional Information
Amount per serving
Calories: 200 Cholesterol: 55 mg Total fat: 2.5 g Saturated fat: 0.5 g Monounsaturated fat: 0.5 g Trans fat: 0 g Sodium: 125 mg Total carbohydrate: 23 g Dietary fiber: 3 g Sugars: 5 g
Manatee Insanity" was the discussion held at the 9th Annual Emerson Center's Florida Humanities Series on February 18. Sponsored in part by Marine Bank & Trust and the Florida Humanities Council, Author and environmental journalist Craig Pittman explained why these marine mammals have cast their spell over the people of this state since 1893 when Florida passed its very first law protecting manatees. The hour-long free program was followed by a question-and-answer period.
Photo Caption: Bonnie Pendleton (far left), chair of The Florida Humanities Series and Sponsor Michelle Dion of Marine Bank (far right) flank speaker Craig Pittman before the "Manatee Insanity" discussion.
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links to websites that provide a fabulous and tasty selection of bite size yummies. 
For your gathering you will want to have a little 'swag bag' for your guests. It might not include a brand new car, but you can have fun with it. You might even include a print out of what is in the 'real' Oscar bag with the items crossed out and your item listed. Go for the family pack of chapstick and you can get it for less than the oscar $6. :) Here is a sample:
GET SIRI TO READ YOU A WEB PAGE
TODAY'S CHUCKLE
