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Living in the Moment

Two Local Teens Featured in PBS Documentary "Broadway or Bust"

09/06/12

Two Local Teens Featured in PBS Documentary "Broadway or Bust"

The bright lights of Broadway proved dazzling for 17-year-old Sam Shankman and Sabaa Sharma this summer. As winners of the Orpheum's High School Musical Theatre Awards for Best Lead Actor and Actress, the two teens spent a whirlwind week in New York City, competing for the Jimmy Awards, the high school equivalent to the Tony's Awards. As part of the competition, the 60 regional winners worked with Broadway voice and dance coaches to stage a musical, where a panel of judges selected the grand prize winners. Their most excellent adventure is chronicled in a new, Glee-like documentary, Broadway or Bust. The hour-long, three-part series airs this Sunday night at 7 p.m. on WKNO-TV (Ch. 10), and continues through September 23. It will be rebroadcast on Mondays, September...

Posted at 09:39 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2

What Makes Your Grandparents Grand? Send Us Your Picture and Let Us Know!

09/05/12

What Makes Your Grandparents Grand? Send Us Your Picture and Let Us Know!

Grandparents are the type of people families can rely on. They feed us when we're hungry, they care for our babies, they love us, warts and all. Grandparents also connect us to our past; they help us understand the road our family has traveled. If you've got ones who care, give them a hug and a prayer of thanks. Because grandparents are special. They want what's best for you and your children.  Celebrate their place in your world by sending us a photo and tell us why you think your grandparent is grand. It can be a picture of your family, one of your grandparent with their grandkids, or it can be you with a grandparent who made a difference in your life. We're gathering a collection of photographs that reflect the important role grandparents play in...

Posted at 07:35 AM | Permalink | Comments

Preschoolers Will Want to Explore Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - New This Fall on PBS

09/02/12

Preschoolers Will Want to Explore Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - New This Fall on PBS

If you've got a preschooler at home, get acquainted with Daniel Tiger, the newest friend to join PBS Kids television daily line-up. The animated cartoon series, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, premieres on this week on WKNO-TV. Created by The Fred Rogers Company, the same folks who produced Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, the show centers on the daily life of 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Naturally, the show is aimed at children 2- to 4-year-olds and borrows liberally from the original — from its opening song to the way Daniel slips on a red sweater and sneakers before taking off to explore his neighborhood. But as I watch a segment that shows Daniel going to the bakery for his birthday cake, some of the way his...

Posted at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

Crafty Fun for Kids at My Froggy Stuff on YouTube

08/31/12

Crafty Fun for Kids at My Froggy Stuff on YouTube

My daughter recently discovered My Froggy Stuff Production videos on YouTube. These DYI projects for kids offer step-by-step instructions that will help your child create goodies for her dolls, and are an outgrowth of the My Froggy Stuff blog, which has plenty of other clever ideas. Ella’s dolls have always ranked high in the family’s pecking order, and now these girls are positively pampered. Her American Girl doll sports a new no-sew bathing suit, a monogrammed pillow, and a traveling suitcase. Kids who can handle scissors, tape, and draw straight lines can make many of these projects on their own. The short videos open with upbeat music and a list of project materials readily available at craft stores. The invisible “mom” — you’ll see...

Posted at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments: 5

901 Day Means Family Fun on Saturday, September 1

08/28/12

901 Day Means Family Fun on Saturday, September 1

Have you heard about 901 Day? It's a day to celebrate Memphis' awesomeness. A time to put aside all your gripes about whatever — and cheer on the many things that are right about our community. The event was started by Kerry over at ilovememphis.com and her friend, Jen. They kicked the idea around in 2011, and this year, made it reality. We think that's pretty cool. Their concept was simple: organizations would put together an activity on 901 Day (9/01/2012) that's open to the public, free, and fun. Easy peasy. At this writing, there are 22 events taking place all around the city. You can see them all here. We're highlighting those that are family-friendly, in hopes you'll bring your kiddos and join in the fun. Oh, and the 901 name? It's a...

Posted at 08:32 AM | Permalink | Comments

Junior Chef: 10-year-old Logan Guleff Wins Cooking Contest & A Trip to the White House

08/27/12

Junior Chef: 10-year-old Logan Guleff Wins Cooking Contest & A Trip to the White House

Logan Guleff won't settle for the usual burger with ketchup and fries. An Asian-inspired turkey burger with peanut butter? Now that's different. The 10-year-old Memphian often whips up meals using his own recipes. His culinary curiosity led him to create a recipe he called Tuna Schooners for Michelle Obama's Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. The contest asked kids ages 8 to 12 to create healthful meals using all of the food groups. Judges included a White House assistant chef and other high-profile foodies. Logan's dish was one of 54 winning recipes selected from more than 1,200 participants. As Tennessee's winner, he attended the Kids' "State Dinner" hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. Logan escorted his mom, Kim, to the White House event...

Posted at 07:53 AM | Permalink | Comments

Fashionista of the Week: Ava Grace

08/24/12

Fashionista of the Week: Ava Grace

I happened upon this winsome 2-year-old as I was strolling near the Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms last week. Being outdoors brings big smiles to most children and Ava Grace was no exception. She was getting ready to explore when I spied her in this pretty aqua halter top, embellished with a heart-shaped peace sign necklace, and paired with a leopard-patterned twirly skirt from The Children's Place. Mom Aleks put together her sunny headband, made from a crocheted flower that's stitched to stretchy black ribbon. I love how it plays up Ava's wispy curls.   Finishing her look were these sparkly fushia flip flops. Aren't they cute?   When indoors, Ava Grace loves to play dress-up in her daddy's uniform, sing and...

Posted at 09:20 AM | Permalink | Comments

Where Can I Find Your Awesome Outfit, Taylor Swift?

08/23/12

Where Can I Find Your Awesome Outfit, Taylor Swift?

We'll admit it; it was a toss up between reviewing the How'd They Build That? construction video, and this tasty fashion tidbit. Can you blame us? We simply fell in love with Taylor Swift's latest look. She was spotted in this sleek black ensemble while hanging out with the Kennedy clan on Cape Cod this summer. Turns out we're not alone. Just this week, Good Morning America featured a spot on her trendy attire. Swift's keen eye for style and her shift towards a chicer vintage look has garnered plenty of notice. (Tagging along with the Kennedy's hasn't hurt, either.) In fact, some fashion wags are blaming Taylor's more demure look on her budding relationship with 18-year-old Conor Kennedy, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy. But...

Posted at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

Playback Memphis to Perform Saturday, August 25, at First Congregational Church

08/22/12

Playback Memphis to Perform Saturday, August 25, at First Congregational Church

How do you get people to listen, really listen, to one another? That's a question Virginia Murphy enjoys tackling with the work of her theater company, Playback Memphis. The troupe combines improvisation, storytelling, and community dialogue to build a better Memphis. This Saturday at 7 p.m., you can be part of the show as the group performs "An Evening of Stories About the Delights and Difficulties of Family." The program takes place at TheatreSouth, 1000 South Cooper, in the basement of First Congregational Church. Admission: $15/adults, $12/students & seniors, $5/kids 10 and under. The show is ideal for people ages 8 to 80. The show is a fund-raiser for the troupe's trip to Washington, D.C. this fall. They are one of just six companies that have been...

Posted at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments

A New Clothing Store in Germantown: Monsoon Children

08/21/12

A New Clothing Store in Germantown: Monsoon Children

So your bff is getting married and she's has asked your 6-year-old daughter to be her flower girl — which will be totally adorable. But now you need something light and pretty and well, age-appropriate. Wondering where to turn? I recently discovered Monsoon Children at Saddle Creek, a U.K. based retailer that's finally brought their clothing stateside. The first thing I notice is their attention to detail. The party dresses, like this Cleopatra Sparkle Lace dress, are beautifully made, using yards of tulle, satin, and lace ($89.50). What's more, they carry matching big girl/little girl outfits. I totally love this peasant top, with it's delicate embroidery around the neck and sleeves, and the cotton bodice that's oh, sooo soft. I think a...

Posted at 07:15 AM | Permalink | Comments