Entertainment

The other day, a movie called, The Guard, bubbled up to the top of my Netflix DVD queue. It stars American Don Cheadle and Irishman Brendan Gleeson as a by-the-book FBI agent and an unconventional Irish policeman, respectively, who team up to bust an international drug-smuggling ring. While watching the movie, I became curious about the signage on the squad cars, “GARDA.” I…

In June of 2015, I visited the other Nashville. That is—Nashville, Indiana, also known as Little Nashville. Population: ~1,000. If I could, I would move there. Well, I can’t move there, but I definitely plan to go back, again and again. Luckily, I have offspring who will be at Indiana University for at least four…

I’ve been attending Peter Mayer concerts for more than a decade. Peter, a member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, tours with his own people whenever he’s not busy with Buffett. He usually comes to my town at Christmastime for his Stars & Promises shows, but recently, he played an intimate concert in the Bayfront Sheraton ballroom in Erie, PA. Only four musicians…

Thinking about buying a drone for a new and entertaining hobby? Well, you’ll find lots of models to choose from. One with a camera can be yours for as little as $50. Fancy drones cost a lot more. Before you buy, you might want to check out what the FAA has to say about drone safety.…

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If so, how often do you achieve those resolutions or even remember at year’s end what they were? Here are seven tips to help you set your New Year’s resolutions and also set yourself up for success in achieving them. 1. Take stock of the previous year. What goals had you…

Every August, the St. Paul Roman Catholic Church holds its three-day Italian festival celebrating the Feast of the Assumption. St. Paul’s is located in Erie’s historic Little Italy and is the parish my in-laws grew up and were married in. We’ve gone to the festival in the past but have never attended the Mass and procession through the…

Moms’ Night Out features a terrific car chase, an out-of-control taser, and a tattoo found on a most-unlikely subject. It also offers tons of excitement and hilarity, without reducing itself to the gratuitous violence and awkward sex scenes that seem to be standard today. If you want to see a movie that will make you laugh,…

After four full days at Mandalay Bay, one of the best-known Las Vegas luxury hotels, I’m happy to report that nothing occurred on our Las Vegas vacation that needed leaving behind. We didn’t lose a lot of money gambling ($20), didn’t attend any racy shows (no shows at all, actually), or even break any laws…

Oh the cyber world and water coolers across the country are all a-Twitter with Academy Award talk today. Top of mind is John Travolta’s slaughter of Idina Menzel’s name. Second is criticism of Menzel’s performance. Well, number one, if someone pronounced my name as Amy Silverstone immediately before my big moment, before a billion people,…

[I deliberated posting this piece to my new website, but I am, so we can see how far he’s come. Boy, was I harsh!] Young Mr. Bieber, either your mother has not had a stern talk with you, or you think you don’t need to listen to her anymore, so, allow me to tell you…