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AN ECO-RIDDLE: What helps you GO GREEN and carries all your stuff? A ToadBag!
1) They replace those oh-so-nasty plastic supermarket bags that damage the environment. 2) Each purchase provides a contribution to Amphibian Ark – an international organization dedicated to saving 3000 species of frogs in danger of extinction! 3) One side of the bag features 5 funny green frogs: Count Frogula, Sir Frogalot, The Bully Frog, The Godfrogger and Arnold Shwarzenhopper! The other side carries the message: NEVER KISS A FROG – Save One Instead! So contrary to what Kermit said – now its easy being GREEN! Just click on the ToadBag at www.neverkissafrog.com. Only $19.99 and you’re a Triple Green Gal! Oh yeah, and if you’re heading to the beach, you might want to stash some fun It’ll help you get rid of human frogs while you’re saving the real ones! Remember, if you think a frog will turn into a prince – FROGGEDABOUDIT! |
Category: 2008
UCLA Live presents DAVID SEDARIS!
UCLA Live presents DAVID SEDARIS!
Author, radio star and humorist David Sedaris packed Royce Hall on Saturday, June 28th in the final event of UCLA Live’s 2007-2008 season. It was a hilarious evening, featuring David reading new work and a selection of essays from his best-selling books, excerpts from The New Yorker and even his diary! The sold-out audience cheered as Mr. Sedaris took the stage, and the enthusiasm continued all night with constant laughs.
In addition to his published materials, Sedaris treated us to some essays that “don’t work” in print, such as a piece on one of his old teachers who pronounced “Nicaragua” in such a way that David would keep asking questions that required it to be the answer! His teacher pronounced it rolling the “r” and using the utmost care and Latino flair. David loved to hear him say “Nicaragua” over and over—and as he related the story, the audience did, too!
David has an engaging and quirky quality when he reads his essays, which are intelligent, sardonic (and just downright funny!) observations on the things he goes through in life. His piece on being seated in Business Elite on a flight from France to the U.S., sitting next to a Polish man sobbing over the death of his mother would probably make her turn over in her grave… laughing!
Sedaris’ new collection of essays, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, has just been published. David is on a multi-city tour around the country, usually in a different city every day, except for the big cities, where he spends two nights. He told us that at book store signings he has sat as long as nine hours autographing for his loyal fans.
Some of his other bestsellers include Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. He is also an award-winning playwright and recipient of a Thurber Prize for American Humor. David’s original radio pieces can often be heard on “This American Life,” distributed nationally by Public Radio International.
Sedaris’ performance marked the end of a wonderful season for UCLA Live. Their new nine-month season will run from October 1, 2008 to June 20, 2009, and is set to include 94 performances, covering an eclectic variety of genres. Single events and nine series will feature theater, dance, spoken word, family, and music ranging from classical, jazz, and world to folk, roots, and electronica.
Audiences can look forward to extraordinary events such as evenings with Pulitzer Prize-winning literary icons Edward Albee and John Updike; the Southern California premiere of Kronos Quartet’s moving 9/11 commemoration “Awakening”; superstar Chinese pianist Lang Lang; the return of legendary barefoot diva Césaria Évora; “A Romantic Evening in Old Mexico” with Linda Ronstadt and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano; the reunion of former Miles Davis bandmates Chick Corea and John McLaughlin; and a UCLA Live exclusive event with director Werner Herzog. In addition, one of the most anticipated offerings is the Seventh Annual International Theatre Festival.
Information on these and all events, performances, dates, and ticket prices can be found at: www.uclalive.org.
Article by Marilyn Anderson
SECRETS OF THE TRADE
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SECRETS OF THE TRADE By Marilyn Anderson
Tolins’ new work is a powerful and sentimental insider’s journey down Broadway that helps us understand universal human themes through the eyes of gay men, who purportedly dominate the theatre industry. John Glover gives a stellar performance as pompous veteran writer/director Martin Kerner, agreeing to meet a teen-age fan years after receiving the teen-ager’s flowery letter. We’re not sure why, but unfulfilled expectations are Kerner’s gifts. The smart and ambitious young writer, Andrew Lipman, is played by Edward Tournier. Tournier excels, growing in stature from a manic 16-year old high school student, through college years, and by the end, a cynical 26-year-old Hollywood television writer. Amy Aquino has been a favorite actress of mine for a long time, and she does not disappoint as Andy’s mother, Joanne Lipman. Fully committed to her only child, she becomes jealous of his relationship with Kerner. Amy does three hysterical cameos, including a New York agent and the Faye Dunaway character, in a musical version of “Network.” Her “dancer” is a total hoot! Playing opposite Aquino is Mark L. Taylor, whose laid-back role as caring father and understanding hubby serves as Kerner’s counterpoint. His tempered vigilance plays well against the emotion-ladened Andy/Kerner dialogues. Rounding out the cast is Bill Brochtrup as the bittersweet Bradley, the director’s long-term, sympathetic assistant, who gave up his own creative dreams when Kerner told him, “You’d make a good . . . assistant!” The Dahlia is a tiny space, yet the director, Matt Shakman, expertly manipulates the actors and sets into commanding scale as the story comes to life. You forget about size as the actors explode and plumb the depths of their characters in a totally free use of the space—behind a scrim, in the aisles, at a table—even on a table. In one scene, John Glover is literally curled up on a kitchen table the entire time—and it is truly magnificent to watch. His presence is imposing, but never false. The entire production flows seamlessly—dialog, characters, acting and directing. It’s intense and powerful, but always natural. Shakman adds some interesting directorial touches, including a delightful comic dialog where the egotistical mentor handily drops the names of a series of stars . . . whom we never hear. Instead, the waiter (Taylor) simply taps a spoon on a glass, which chimes every time a name comes up. It’s a perfectly timed, masterful sequence that leaves no face in the audience without a smile. “Secrets of the Trade” runs through April 20th at the Black Dahlia, with the potential for a life well beyond that, likely to the New York stage. Tolins’ other plays have been successful. His “Twilight of the Golds” was a provocative piece with an interesting theme that was a hit at the Pasadena Playhouse years ago. It didn’t run long on Broadway, but became a television movie, produced by Garry Marshall. The production in this small, black box storefront proves that size doesn’t always matter! This is a company that puts on exhilarating, first-class theater. There are only about 50 seats per performance, so you’d better book your tickets now for whatever production is next! The Black Dahlia Theatre |
RETURN – The Musical
RETURN – The Musical
Article by Marilyn Anderson & Dennis Lanning
The Falashas are an ancient clan of Hebrews, possibly emanating from the tribe of Dan, who were sequestered to remote locations in Ethiopia because, like Jews everywhere, they were considered different. For reasons unknown, they were “strangers” in their own land and persecuted, isolated, and feared.
This new musical is based on Sonia Levitin’s award-winning book The Return, which recounts the story of the Falashas’ daring exodus from Ethiopia in 1984 and the secret airlift known as “Operation Moses” that saved 8,000 of them. Later, another removal brought the remaining 16,000 out of bondage.
RETURN the musical, premiering at the Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica, is the story of their plight and flight, tellingly performed by an extremely talented and bright cast of about 25 actors. The sad but stirring tale is lovingly conveyed through song and dance in this feature event of the 2008 Festival of New American Musicals.
The story focuses on love of family and the hopes of one starry-eyed young woman to reach her potential in Jerusalem, and one old woman with the strength and determination to recognize her last opportunity for freedom.
The Edgemar is an intimate venue, and director/choreographer Donald McKayle does an exceptional job of making it come alive with the spirit and sounds of the Ethiopian village. It’s not surprising, considering his impressive background. McKayle is a five-time Tony nominee
for Broadway shows, such as Sophisticated Ladies, It Ain’t Nothing But the Blues, and Raisin, which was awarded the Tony as Best Musical. He is the recipient of all kinds of awards around the country. He was honored at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as the “Master of African-American Choreography.”
Return’s cast members range from 11-year-olds to septuagenarians; and they are all excellent, with powerful singing voices. Terry Norman delivers a strong, nuanced performance as Desta, the young woman who’d rather pursue an education than marry. Paula Bellamy-Franklin plays the elderly grandmother, Weizero, with remarkable humor and grace. The dancers in the ensemble are from the Lula Washington Dance Theatre.
A few questions arise in the second act. It was sad to learn that Desta’s fiancé was killed after the couple finally resolved their salient issues of personal growth and marriage. The journey had matured him, and it seemed a shame to have him perish, just when we’d started to like him.
Unresolved, also, is what happens to Desta after she is stung by an insect. We expect her 
to become ill, or worse; but although her painful bite is brought up twice, it’s dropped and left up in the air as the curtain comes down.
Nonetheless, the audience leaves the Edgemar feeling inspired and entertained. RETURN is a moving and heroic musical that underscores the continuing effort for freedom in the world. It’s also a rare opportunity to see an outstanding cast of actors, singers and dancers “up close and personal.” Catch it before it closes on July 20th.
RETURN – The Musical
Book and Lyrics by Sonia Levitin
Music by William Kevin Anderson
Directed and Choreographed by Donald McKayle
Edgemar Center for the Arts
2437 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
For tickets: (310) 392-7327 or http://www.returnthemusical.com
Dates:
Thursday, June 5 through Sunday June 29 and Thursday July 10 thru Sunday July 20
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm
$34.99 for general admission and $17.99 for students
SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT: THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF LOUIS DE ROUGEMONT (AS TOLD BY HIMSELF)
SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT:
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF LOUIS DE ROUGEMONT
(AS TOLD BY HIMSELF)
This family-friendly adventure tale at the Geffen Playhouse stars award-winning actor Gregory Itzin, best known for his role as President Charles Logan on the TV show “24.”
In Shipwrecked, Itzin wows the audience in a commanding performance as adventurer Louis de Rougemont, a real life storyteller who captivated Victorian England with his incredible tales of survival that were published in The Wide World Magazine.
Other characters in De Rougemont’s adventures include his mother, his faithful dog, a crusty sea captain and some spear-wielding aborigines—all played by the versatile Melody Butiu and Michael Daniel. Daniel gets to show lots of tongue, but don’t worry—it’s canine tongue! Every time he impishly becomes Bruno the pooch and lovingly snuggles up to his master to lick him, the audience howls.
Director Bart DeLorenzo’s staging is dramatic and magical; it’s filled with adventure, style and excitement as well as unique lighting and sound effects, which the actors themselves create right in front of us! Under all the fun, there’s a timeless theme about truth, storytelling, and the meaning of celebrity.
Shipwrecked! An Entertainment was written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Donald Margulies, who was commissioned to develop it for the South Coast Repertory. The
production runs at the Geffen Playhouse until Sunday, July 27, 2008.
Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles (Westwood), CA 90024
310.208.5454
www.geffenplayhouse.com
Performances: Tuesdays thru Sundays; June 25, 2008 –July 27, 2008
Tickets ($35 to $79) are on sale now at the Geffen Playhouse box office, online at GeffenPlayhouse.com, via credit card phone order at 310.208.5454, at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling Ticketmaster at 213.365.3500.
Student rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain for $15.
Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles (Westwood), CA 90024
310.208.5454
www.geffenplayhouse.com
TASTING TAIWAN – A Tantalizing Tour of Sights, Nights and Tasty Bites!
Marilyn Anderson & Dennis Lanning’s
ROMANCE ON THE ROAD
TASTING TAIWAN – A Tantalizing Tour of Sights, Nights and Tasty Bites!
By Marilyn Anderson
One of the perks of being a freelance writer is that you can be spontaneous. You don’t have to plan far ahead in order to “take time off from work.” Hey, I take off for years at a time! So when I got the opportunity to take a trip to Taiwan, leaving in ten days, I didn’t need to think about it – I just said, “Wow, I’m there!” I threw some travel pants in a bag, went to a clinic to get a typhoid shot with the longest needle I’d ever seen and pouff! I was ready to roll. The trip ended up being a whirlwind week excursion around the island of Taiwan, where I got to see all kinds of magnificent sights and eat my way across the country.
Some of you may remember that Taiwan used to have a different name: Formosa. Even now, the locals refer to it as Ilha Formosa which means “Beautiful Island” in Portuguese. It’s easy to see why.
Taiwan is an exotic country full of modern and vibrant cities, picturesque mountaintop villages and unique oceanside settlements. Visitors can experience different customs, diverse lifestyles, strange languages, and traditional Taiwanese culture and arts that have been passed down for generations. And of course, an array of exotic cuisines that will totally please and completely surprise the palate.
We visited a variety of specialty restaurants, from posh hotel dining rooms to local eateries to roadside stands, and even 7/11s, which dot the roads all around the country. Wherever you are, the tantalizing tastes of Taiwan are graciously provided by warm and hospitable people who take pleasure and pride in hosting their guests.
This issue features Northern Taiwan and the sophisticated and culturally diverse capital city of Taipei. Parts 2 and 3 in future issues will cover the Central, Eastern, and Southern parts of the island.
TAIPEI
We arrived in Taipei late at night after a 15-hour flight, and one of the things we all noticed as we drove into the city was that even at midnight, the place was jumping! Restaurants, bars, and clubs were open; lines of people were standing outside karaoke parlors; and we learned that if we wanted to go shopping no problem! That’s because Taipei has many night markets, famous for terrific bargains on clothes, toys, leather goods, and electronics, as well as food and snacks galore. There are also 24-hour-foot massage parlors, a 24-hour bookstore, Eslite; and even the parks had young men playing sports in the middle of the night! Our sleepy group passed on the late night activities and headed for the hotel, but you can be sure on my next trip, I’ll spend more time partaking of their rocking night life.
During the day, Taipei is a stylish and bustling city with plenty of attractions to keep every tourist happy. There are temples and festivals, museums and shopping, art and culture,
flower and jade markets, and food from every corner of the world.
Following is a sampling of some of the fabulous foods we savored and the special places in Taipei
that served them.
SILKS HOUSE RESTAURANT
Grand Formosa Regency Taipei
The Grand Formosa Regency has eight restaurants, and their newest, Silks House, is where our group was treated to a veritable feast of never-ending courses. I counted 23! Some dishes looked and sounded like things we might normally eat, but others that looked new and peculiar went untasted, especially after we were told what they were!
Here are a few of the delicacies they served:
Crispy Eel Sprinkled with Sesame – Dee-lish!
Marinated Jelly Fish Mixed with Celery – Didn’t try it. Hey, I was stung by one once! Vegetable Soup served in a Pumpkin Shell – Divine!
Marinated Pig’s Ear with XO Sauce – It was pig, but I chickened out!
Steamed Winter Melon with Yunnan Ham – Excellent!
Baked Seafood with Cheese in Dragon Fruit – Delicious and bee-yootiful, too. Fermented Tofu – also known as STINKY TOFU – and there’s good reason! Roasted Farm Goose – Mmmm, mmm…
The waiters wheeled everything in on carts, and with some, such as the Roasted Duck Grand Formosa Style, we were treated to a show. First, the chefs presented the mouth-watering red bird with gorgeous crispy skin. Then, they sliced it up and served it on plates with scallions, sweet red bell peppers, sour ginger slices, and a special sauce, all in a light and puffy Chinese bun.
The 23 entrees were followed by the dessert, which elicited a myriad of “oohs and aahs” from our group. Billed as “Seasonal Fruits with Crushed Ice,” it was much more extravagant than it sounded. Presented in a huge bowl, it had a surreal “halo of mist” floating over an enormous assortment of colorful fresh fruits, including some we’re not used to in the U.S., such as grass jelly, beans, and black tapioca. This fruit cocktail swam in a punch of crushed ice, condensed milk, and brown sugar. Palate-cleansing and refreshingly cool to taste, it was the perfect conclusion to a colossal feast.
For those of you who like to combine gourmet dining with sightseeing, a brand new Silks Palace just opened at the National Palace Museum.
SILKS HOUSE RESTAURANT
Grand Formosa Regent Taipei
No 41, Chung Shan N. Rd., Section2, Taipei 104, Taiwan
TELÅF886 2 2523 8000
http://www.grandformosa.com.tw
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FIVE DIME DRIFTWOOD RESTAURANT
One of the joys of Chinese dining is getting your share of the food as the Lazy Susan spins around the table. At Five Dime, the courses just kept coming in the ultimate experience of “family dining.” Everyone got some of everything as the exquisite dishes were brought hot and steaming from the kitchen.
Some of our dishes included Spicy Chili Chicken; Prawns with Ginkgo and Lily; Floatingheart Stems with Fragrant Manjack Fruits, and Down-Home Sweet Potato Rice. However, when the strange-looking, purplish Sea Cucumber came twirling by, I admit to a surge of culinary cowardice. I smiled and said, “I’m simply too full,” and pushed the revolving tray on to the next guest!
Food aside, another great reason to go to the Five Dime Restaurant is to see the extraordinary architecture and learn about the owner, Hsieh Li-shiang. At eight years old, Hsieh built a tree house, which became her inspiration for the five restaurants she built in Taiwan. Without any formal training, she started designing buildings based on her love of nature. Driftwood and trees are an integral part of her work, along with colored bricks, oyster shells and rocks.
Hsieh designs every aspect of the restaurants herself, from the airy interior and nature-inspired exteriors down to the tables, chairs, and beautifully crafted plates and cups. Her first restaurant, Five Cent Driftwood House, was built for NT $200,000; and the newest, Five Dime in Taipei’s Neihu District, cost NT $6 million. Her restaurants are well-known landmarks of unique architectural style and fine cuisine, created and operated by an incredible woman with only a junior high school education.
I took some time to walk around each of the three floors of this fabulous restaurant, marveling at the unusual trees, pond, sculptures, and objets d’art. When you’re in Taipei, you’ll definitely want to visit Five Dime for both the delicious food and the unique and dramatic atmosphere.
FIVE DIME DRIFTWOOD
(02) 8501-1472
No.8, Lane.32, Sec.1, Neihu Rd., Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.five-dime.com.tw/html/homepage.htm
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Dinner with the Governor of Taipei County
VR GARDEN CAFE
Danshui, Taipei County
Less than an hour by MRT (Taipei’s rapid transit metro), Danshui is a historic riverbank city rich in diverse cultures and the clash of contrasting styles. New streets and old run parallel to each other along the riverbanks; historical monuments and religious temples abut modern shops; and contemporary coffee houses stand next to old Chinese style tea houses, along with stores selling an eclectic assortment of items like fish balls, confections, fish crisp crumbs, and antiques. It’s a soothing diversion from the intensity of Taipei.
The highlight of our detour to Danshui was being joined for dinner by the Governor of Taipei County, Hsi-Wei Chou, (Roy Chou). A charming and gracious host, Mr. Chou actually 
attended USC in his twenties. He and his wife greeted us by the wharf, and as we walked along the old street and up a steep path past some of their historical monuments, the local people were thrilled to shake his hand and snap cell phone photos. We continued up the windy walkway to Fort San Domingo, taking in other sights, such as the 1800s Canadian Pastor George Leslie MacKay’s wall, the British Consular Residence, Fu You Temple, and Oxford College.
After our walk we went for dinner at the charming outdoor VR Garden Café. Danshui is particularly proud of its local artisans and actively promotes them. At our dinner, three artists were featured showing their paintings and even offering us custom-made works of art on the spot.One of the artists, David Wu, had animal images with people’s names embedded in them. Since I’m the author of “Never Kiss a Frog,” I asked him to make me a frog with my name in it. Within a matter of minutes, I had my own personal David Wu Froggy, with “Marilyn” etched in its belly, to take home as a souvenir. Interestingly, Governor Chou is an accomplished artist as well, and I brought home a coffee-table book filled with stunning pages of his oil on canvas and acrylic on canvas paintings.
Our five-course meal at the Garden Café was served American style, with appetizer, soup, salad, entrée, and dessert. I was so busy getting my frog art that I didn’t write down what I ate. I just gobbled it up, savoring every morsel. Afterwards the artists treated us to a
traditional tea ceremony, served with a teapot and plates made by one of them. Our delicious meal and special company was capped by a dramatic sunset and spectacular nighttime view of the harbor. In fact, one of Taiwan’s Eight Wonders is the “Danshui Sunset,” famous because at sunset, a leaf of golden rays shows up on the surface of the river.
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PEARL LIANG CHINESE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Grand Hyatt Taipei
I love romance, and the Grand Hyatt Taipei’s beautiful restaurant Pearl Liang has a truly romantic history.
The owner, Pearl Liang, was born into a wealthy family in old Shanghai upscale society. She grew up in Taipei and later lived overseas in England, Switzerland, and the United States. While traveling to Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway, Pearl met her true love, an influential business tycoon. After marrying, they continued traveling the globe, attending lavish parties and collecting memories along with exquisite pieces of porcelain, art, books, and tableware. Hers was a true storybook romance, ending sadly and suddenly when her husband perished in an avalanche on a heli-ski vacation.
This is when Pearl returned to Taiwan to create Pearl Liang, an extraordinary restaurant, filled with her collectibles, in the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Nostalgic music from Pearl’s favorites—Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, Josephine Baker, Billy Holiday, and Louis Armstrong—adds
to the ambience. The restaurant combines her passion for entertaining with fine wines, designer fashion, and exquisite home-style Chinese cooking. Many of the secret recipes came from Pearl’s mother, all impeccably prepared in the old fashioned way: by hand on the table and in full view of the guests.
Although I didn’t get to meet Pearl on this trip, I hope to next time. Maybe we’ll be able to share some girl talk about Romance on the Road!
PEARL LIANG CHINESE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Grand Hyatt Taipei
2, Song Shou Road,
Taipei, Taiwan 11051
Tel: +886 2 2720 1234
http://www.taipei.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
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THE GRAND RESIDENCE
Grand Hyatt Taipei
Speaking of romance, if you’re looking for a special location for your Destination Wedding or a marvelous rehearsal dinner, this could be the place!
The Grand Hyatt has an entire new wing for parties and events called The Grand Residence. Designed by international designer Tony Chi, this new architectural icon provides a beautiful and stylish atmosphere for large festive occasions or small business meetings.
Conceptually, The Grand Residence blends traditional catering and meeting space with an interactive open kitchen into a warmer, more hospitable environment. It’s almost like visiting someone in their elegant home. A section called “the glasshouse” allows hosts or their party planners to select their favorite tableware, décor, and gifts, which are on display. The dining rooms are Residence One, Two, and Three, as well as the most discreet one, called simply, The Residence. Its adjoining terrace features a spectacular view of Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building, which is next door to the Grand Hyatt.
Adjacent to the central kitchen is the tasting room, where hosts can have a grand time planning what they are going to serve their guests. Lucky them, they get to sample loads of absolutely scrumptious dishes!
I can attest to that, since our last night in Taiwan we had dinner at The Grand Residence. It was fun being able to walk over to the numerous cooking stations in the ultra-spacious kitchen as the chefs each put their individual specialties on our plates from cold appetizers, sushi, and salads, to delectable hot entrees to assorted dim sum and then some! I love to taste different dishes, and this was food heaven to me.
Check out some of the yummy entrees:
Grilled Lamb Loin on Warm Smoked Eggplant Salad
Pan Fried Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce –
Seared Beef Medallion and Duck Liver with Truffle Sauce
Wok Fried Prawns “Szechwan” Style
Stewed Pork Ribs with Rock Sugar and Chinese Tea
Sautéed Asparagus
Steamed Rice in Lotus Leaf
After tasting these and more, we went into the bar, which was specially set up for our desserts, including Chilled Mango Pudding with Sago and Coconut Jelly, Raspberry Tiramisu Slice, and Soft Chocolate Tart with Five Spice Cream. Did I say food heaven? Make that Nirvana!
The Grand Residence is an impressive and elegant new addition to the Grand Hyatt and an exceptional alternative to traditional hotel party rooms. Now, all I need is to plan my wedding there. I’m ready!
THE GRAND RESIDENCE
Grand Hyatt Taipei
2, Song Shou Road,
Taipei, Taiwan 11051
Tel: +886 2 2720 1234
grandhyatttaipei@hyattintl.com
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TAIWAN TIDBITS
Taipei 101: Built to resemble a stalk of bamboo, this is the tallest building in the world, with the world’s fastest elevators. You reach the 89th floor observation deck in just 30 seconds!
The Grand Hotel: Built by Madame Chiang Kai-shek in the style of Beijing’s Forbidden City Palace, it stands majestically on a hilltop, offering spectacular views of Taipei.
National Palace Museum: This fascinating museum is the world’s fifth largest. It contains more than 700,000 artifacts representing Chinese art and culture from the Neolithic period to the end of the Qing dynasty.
Lungshan Temple: The Dragon Mountain meeting place of the gods known for the wealth of deities worshipped here.
Confucius Temple. This grand temple of the Jiangnan style was built in the first year of the Guanghsu period to worship Confucius. The annual ceremony of Confuscius’ birthday will be held on September 28th.
Night Markets: Don’t miss the excitement and energy of the throngs of people winding through the stalls with exotic foods, clothing and other bargains. The Shilin Night Market is the foremost among all the night markets in Taipei. I got a handbag for about $25 that I saw in the U.S. for $225!
Foot Massage Parlors: Taipei holds the world’s record for the most foot massages given in one day.
Tea Shops – A glorious history of tea growing exists in Taiwan, with tea shops all over, each with a counter for tasting, drinking, and talking with friends and servers.
Cosmetic Surgery: If you have some extra time for a little tightening here and there, medical costs are a lot less expensive in Taiwan. Surgical costs are generally half the price.
Wedding & Honeymoon Destination: Taiwan’s booming wedding industry is famous. Over 1300 wedding studios and packages include wedding outfits and costumes for the bride and groom and imaginative studio or outdoor photo shoots.
Taiwan High-Speed Rail: Asia’s newest bullet train.
Festivals – Throughout the year, there are Dragon Boat Festivals; Lantern Festivals; Flower Shows; Hot Spring & Fine Cuisine Carnivals; Music, Art & Cultural Festivals; and Kite Festivals.
Hotel Breakfasts: If you’re staying at one of the larger hotels that have a buffet breakfast, be prepared for a morning spread that includes not only the usual American fare, but also unusual breakfast delicacies from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries.
Money Conversion: $1.00 US Dollar = NT $30.321 Taiwan Dollars
NT $100 Taiwan Dollars = $3.29804 US Dollars.
Want to visit Taiwan? Easy. There are 99 flights a day from the U.S.
Going to Asia? Stopover in Taiwan! Only $79 – “I Land” Paradise, Taiwan Special — US $79 per room/night including breakfast through December 31, 2008.
Stopover at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport? If you have at least a 7-hour layover, you can get a free half-day tour to Sansia / Yingge or Taipei City
And the winner is! The one-millionth, two-millionth, three-millionth, and four-millionth foreign visitors to Taiwan during their special promotional period in 2008-2009 will win a credit card good for purchases in Taiwan for NT $100,000, NT $ 200,000, NT$ 300,000 and NT $400,000! (In U.S. currency, that’s about $3300 up to $13,120!)
TAIWAN
Touch Your Heart
Tourist Bureau
www.go2taiwan.net
How I Fell in Love with Swimming Again with the Aid of Finis’s SwiMP3v2 – Underwater MP3 Player
How I Fell in Love with Swimming Again with the Aid of Finis’s SwiMP3v2 – Underwater MP3 Player
A Product review by Sean McKenzie
There’s a community pool around the corner, and I have been contemplating dusting off my swim trunks and getting in some exercise. Now it’s not just a little wading pool, it’s a large pool with divided lap lanes—at least 12 lanes. This wouldn’t be such a big deal if swimming wasn’t so boring. You see, here’s my dilemma. I love music, and my iPod is a permanent appendage attached to my ears. I never leave home without it. So the thought of me shedding my little headphones for more than a few minutes (to shower and shave) is simply not feasible. Imagine the sheer delight of discovering SwiMP3v2!
The SwiMP3v2 underwater MP3 player is amazing. All I did was plug the attached USB cable into my computer and loaded my favorite songs off iTunes. I charged the battery overnight and first thing in the morning, I was ready to go. Now mind you, I was very skeptical that this little gadget wouldn’t work. I wore myFinis Latex Swim Cap, placed my SwiMP3v2 player on my ears, and wrapped the cord on the back of my goggles. Just for added protection, I put on my nose clip and slid into the cold water at 7:00 in the morning. I pushed the on button, half expecting to hear nothing. But instead, the beautiful sonic quality of my favorite tunes blasted through. I did my laps while listening to music, and before I knew it, I had been swimming for over an hour.
The SwiMP3v2 has incredible underwater sound quality, unlike standard players that rely on the transmission of sound through air or water, delivering a muffled noise. The SwiMP3v2
uses bone conduction (the direct transfer of sound vibrations from the cheek bone to the inner ear) to provide the swimmer with exceptional sound clarity. It is fully waterproof and can be used with all levels of swim strokes.
I have been swimming 3-4 times a week, and with 256 megabytes of space on my new SwiMP3v2, I have continued to load even more songs. Oh yeah, and since swimming is a breeze now, I have progressed from my pathetic 13 laps my first time out to a whopping 35 laps per hourly routine.
Finis also puts out an outstanding goggle. My swim partner used to be a competitive swimmer in college, and she complained that none of her goggles kept the water out completely. After every session, she’d emerge from her workouts with bloodshot eyes. I offered her the Finis Crystal adult goggles for competitive swimmers, and for the first time, water didn’t seep in. The goggles, however, are tight and did leave an indentation around her eyes. This was a concern to her. She is a 40-something woman. If you are youthful with
elastic skin, I would recommend the Finis Crystal Goggles. But for those concerned about wrinkles, I would consider another kind—the suction is intense. But the goggles do serve their purpose, and they do keep that pool water out of your eyes with the added benefit of no fog! So you can swim and see clearly below and above water.
Lastly, my partner was also looking for a swim cap that could keep the water out. She complained that it was a hassle every time to have to wash and blow-dry her hair, especially because she swam before going into work. The Finis Latex Swim Cap could not keep the 
water out. Her hair was drenched every time. But she discovered if she put conditioner in her already wet hair and put the Finis Latex Swim Cap on, her hair managed to keep its luster. She would wash her hair out after her workouts and go about her day. So if you’re looking for a cap to keep the water out, the Finis Latex Swim Cap can’t do that. But it is good for protecting your hair from the extensive damage chlorine can cause.
SwiMP3v2 Additional Info:
PC and Mac Compatible
256 MB
Rechargeable Battery
Supported Formats: MP3 & WMA
Weighs Only 2 Ounces.
Plugs Directly into USB Port, No Cable Required.
The SwiMP3v2 retails for about $100.00.
Finis Silicone Caps are tear-resistant, offer maximum comfort, as well as come in a variety of colors, and retail for about $7.99
Finis Crystal Goggles retail for $9.99. There are a variety of goggles available, ranging in price and comfort. The prices range from $3.99 – $19.99.
To learn more about Finis products, visit their website:www.finisinc.com.
The Power of Yoga – Being YogaFit
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The Power of Yoga – Being YogaFit
So what is yoga, really? Why is everyone so crazy about it, and what’s in it for me? Well, I see you’re not one for wasting any time, so let us delve in, my dear. Yoga is a 5000-year-old practice consisting of a series of poses known as “asanas,” originating in India. Yoga manifested as an ancient discipline, it sought to instill inner peace through what was known as the “eight-limbed path,” eight rules to follow in order to find one’s self. Be careful, though, as yoga does have its side effects: weight loss, a sculpted body, reduced stress, enhanced self awareness, increased patience/discipline, enhanced moods, dramatically increased flexibility, better sex life, and so much more. Wait a minute! Those are great side effects (you with me?). Yoga was not created for aesthetics; it sought to establish balance in mind through body. The reason yoga is so popular is due to those side effects I listed, sculpting the very essence of your figure while providing a wonderful mental escape. Yoga’s powers stem from using your own body weight as the resistance so that you sculpt long, lean, gorgeous muscle without the fear of bulk (I read somewhere that women hate bulking up, go figure). When holding an asana, you are reaching every tiny muscle involved in that pose (which typically you would not on your own with typical methods), leaving you with that long sought after sculpted look. Yoga is engaging because it forces you to be aware of your body at all times, which I believe is crucial. While holding an asana in yoga, you are asked to focus in on the muscles you are currently using so as to maintain proper form (crucial!). Beth Shaw, founder of YogaFit, is our yoga guru and carries a wonderful approach in her DVD line, as she truly holds your hand throughout the process, all the while making you sweat and sculpt. Form is very important in yoga, so I highly recommend finding a good instructor when looking to incorporate yoga into your regimen. I recently tried YogaFit’s “Pure Power” yoga DVD, and I was humbled by the great workout. The DVD was great in the way it guides you in watching your form as it explains exactly what you are doing as well as why with fantastic results. This video is a bit advanced for most, but Beth Shaw has a line of DVDs, so grab another to begin with; but do grab a few, as they will more than meet anyone’s yoga needs. You can read more about our power woman in the Fall 2007 issue ofAgenda. Well, yoga is a wonderful way of life and a powerful tool that truly challenges you to take the time to know yourself better through body awareness. Yoga sculpts by dripping fat off your body due to the calorie burn from the challenging asanas, the rise in internal temperature, and the wonderful muscle reconstruction process after you’re done, “the after burn.” I simply cannot say enough about yoga, as it releases so much stress, which benefits you in countless ways. The intense sweating is very therapeutic as a detoxifier; the increased muscle endurance is great for day-to-day I challenge one and all to take a taste of yoga with Beth Shaw (www.yogafit.com) and meditate on it. Take notice of the changes in your mind and body after a month. The results will astound you. Just remember, though, be kind to yourself, and be patient. Written by Anthony Heredia Watch a brief warmup demonstration from the “Pure Power” video by Yogafit’s Beth Shaw. |
Teeny Weeny Bikini Body Tips
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Teeny Weeny Bikini Body Tips
Written by Anthony Heredia |
Health 101 – Rhythm Divine
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Health 101 – Rhythm Divine
Studies have shown that one night of vibrant twirling on the dance floor can shave over 1000 calories, ladies. A third of a pound in exchange for a night of fun . . . hmmm . . . let me think about that one. This is what I would love to open your eyes to, taking your workout, well . . . out! If you would like to know how many calories you burn during various other exercises, you can visit caloriecontrol.org. Dancing is one of the highest calorie burns around and, in my opinion, one of the most beneficial. The bigger picture is that dancing helps to destroy stress, which is a plague upon our busy lives. Stress puts our bodies in self defense mode, which affects our moods, our performance in our daily lives, as well as our waist size. High stress leads to your body releasing high levels of cortisol into your system, which means more closet time for your little black dress (article on stress to come). Remember that your body is not trying to give you a hard time. It is simply protecting itself, so let us work with it. Dancing reverses this whole ugly chain of events. Not a bad deal, wouldn’t you say? Let me put this all in perspective for you. One night of vigorous dancing (2-3 hours of semi-constant movement) can burn approximately 600-1000 calories, based on your weight and how much you’re moving, of course. One pound of fat is 3500 calories, so that dazzling night of lights and feverish flavor just shaved off nearly a third of a pound with a huge smile on your face if you made an effort to move. Now, here is the bonus to all that twirling and laughing. I call it the “after burn.” Let’s reminisce if you will. I want you to go back to that one night where the drinks were flowing, the company was superb, every song was your song, and life just coursed through your every fiber. Remember how sore you felt the next day from all that dancing? Well, that’s the “after burn.” You see, your body isn’t done working once you stop dancing. In fact, the work has just begun. Your body needs now to repair the muscles you just beat up from all your frivolity. You are now burning significantly more calories that night because your body is repairing the muscles while you sleep. You are burning higher fat while you sleep! Can it get any better than that? Well, actually it can, not to mention that from a good enough “workout” your metabolism is naturally heightened by up to 30% for the next three days as your body continues to do repairs from that one night. Wow, do I really need to go on? To sum that all up, one night of fun equals nearly 900 calories, plus extra fat burned while you sleep, plus 30% metabolic boost for the next three days equals a grand total of anywhere between 1400-2000 calories burned from one night of fun. Please make a note not to forget about the crucial stress release you get from all this, which will really benefit your life all around by making you become more productive, sleep better, and enhance your moods and relationships overall. If you are not sold by now, then I quit. You see, the concept is to personalize exercise so that it becomes a way of life. If you find your niche, you might not need to “exercise” another day in your life. Wow, what a modern concept! I say it’s time for us to take back our health by personalizing fitness to suit our passions, not what they tell us. I propose a toast to heavenly curves and a long healthy life with a smile on our faces! Cheers! * All information from this article is taken from Fitness: The Complete Guide. Frederick C. Hatfield, PhD – Edition 8.6.6 735pgs, International Sports Science Association. Anthony Heredia |
