A Madonna iPhone App?

So, exactly what does one have to do to get their own iPhone app? Everyone seems to be getting them nowadays. From Diddy, to Britney Spears, it’s like getting your own iPhone app is the new celebrity ‘it’ thing. It’s no wonder Madonna would want to add herself to the ranks.

The Madonna app will keep fans up-to-date with nearly everything Madonna-related. There’s a tab for news, her music videos, track downloads, photos and even what her fans are saying about her on the fan page. I guess that’s great if you’re a hardcore Madonna fan.  Hey, it’s better than the Britney app that blurts out expletives when you shake it.

Would you download the Madonna app? Have you downloaded a celebrity’s app before?

Zumba Anyone?

Hey everyone! Let’s break out the sweatpants and sweatbands because it’s time for a workout! Only this isn’t your normal workout. You’re not dreading stepping on automated stairs for an hour, nor spending half of your workout time trying to figure out how to work the new exercise machine. This is actually fun!

It’s called Zumba, and it has taken over the nation! Memphis especially. The workout infuses Latin beats, coupled with lots of hip and arm movement, making for a full cardiovascular workout. The intensity goes up and down throughout the hour allotted. Once you’re done, you won’t feel like you worked out at all because you had so much fun! Well, at least not until about 30 minutes later…

When working out, I like to keep my mp3 player handy, to make things run a little easier. Zumba is no different. Only these aren’t the same beats you hear in your kickboxing class! In a statement about the music used by Zumba founder Beto Perez, she says “Zumba Fitness music is not the synchronized, synthesized monotonous beat you have heard in many aerobics classes,” Perez writes. “We use the originality passion, feel and flow of the song as intended by the music’s artist, rather than the syncro-syntho-mono beat. Our music is not simply background music or a way to keep a beat; it is the driving force of Zumba.”

Want to check out some Zumba classes in your area? Try the Shady Grove Presbyterian. They hold classes every Monday and Thursday evening from 6:15 to 7:15. For more classes, here’s how to search.

Booksigning by Michael San Giacomo

Today at 6:30 pm at the Summer Drive-in on Summer Avenue, Michael San Giacomo will be signing copies of his latest graphic novel, Tales of the Starlight Drive-in.

The book will feature twenty-six illustrated stories and six text stories, taking place over half a century, that tell the story of American drive-ins from their mid-20th-century heyday to near-extinction. Each story will stand alone, but all will have a connecting arc. Also, each story will be related in some way to whatever movie is showing at the time.

I’ve always thought that it was cool when you have a chance to meet an author of a book that you love. It’s even better when you get their autograph because one, you get to put a face with the brilliant mind that thinks of such great stories, and two, it’s always cool to have a celebrity’s autograph.

Have you read the book? Will you go to the signing?

Resident Poll: What Food Would You Let Go?

Hey Arbors River Oaks! If given a choice, what food that you normally consume would you (or could you) give up? Not just for Lent (for those who recognize), but in general?

Can You Read My Mind?

Hey Arbors River Oaks! Psychic Sylvia Browne is coming to Memphis on Saturday with a show at the Orpheum Theater. The psychic and spiritual teacher, 73, has spent years peering into the future for people across the country.

During her Orpheum appearance, Browne plans to discuss how you can heal yourself and what’s at the root of sickness. Audience members whose names are picked from a raffle will be invited to ask Browne for predictions.

I’ve never been one to believe in psychics, mainly because I’m sure that if there were more psychics in the world, there’d be a lot more rich people! This seems like it’d be an entertaining show, however. Tickets are $25, $45, $55 and $95. That’s a pretty little penny to probe into your mind.

What about you? Do you believe that psychics can really predict the future?

Civil Commotion @ Chuck E. Cheese’s

Now why would you want to start a brawl in the middle of the dancing mouse’s performance? That’s just un-humane! Apparently a fight broke out in a vending machine line at the Chuck E. Cheese’s on Hickory Hill .

One woman asked another how long she was going to be at the vending machine. The woman replied, “I’m going to take my time,” arguing ensued, and it went all down hill from there.

Several people got involved in the fight, which resulted in the curious woman getting punched in the eye and kicked under a table. Families and children fled the restaurant, not wanting to get involved. More information can be found here.

Come on now people? Adults fighting at Chuck E. Cheese’s? The most action I’ve ever seen at the children’s fun haven was two little boys arguing over who got the last slice of pizza.

What’s next? Parents arguing “my kids better than yours?”. Or how about “my token’s more gold than yours?” What do you think of the situation?

Recipe of the Week: Smoked Salmon Alfredo

Hey Arbors River Oaks! Are you looking for something new to make for dinner with a little bit of a twist? Try this out and let me know how you like it!

Smoked Salmon Alfredo

Ingredients:

* 1/2 pound(s) fettuccine
* 2 tablespoon(s) (extra-virgin) olive oil
* 3 clove(s) (large) garlic, minced
* 8 ounce(s) (fresh) snow peas, stems trimmed
* 1 package(s) (8-oz. sliced ) mushrooms
* 1 whole(s) (roasted ) red pepper, sliced
* 1 1/2 cup(s) (heavy) cream
* 3 tablespoon(s) butter
* 8 ounce(s) (smoked sockeye) salmon, cut into 1-inch pieces
* 3 tablespoon(s) (chopped) fresh parsely
* 1 1/2 cup(s) (freshly grated ) Parmesan cheese
* 1 handful(s) (freshly ground) black pepper, optional

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add oil, garlic, snow peas, mushrooms and red pepper to skillet and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add heavy cream and butter; stir, then bring to a boil and cook until reduced slightly. Add salmon, parsley and salt, stirring. Add cooked pasta and 1 cup grated Parmesan; toss to coat evenly.
3. Spoon pasta onto warmed plates, and serve with remaining Parmesan and a few fresh grinds of black pepper, if desired.

Don’t Believe the Hype!

Unlimited calling plans. For someone who loves to talk, this could be the miracle that you were waiting for. Trust me, I know all about exceeding your monthly allotted minutes and having half of a heart attack when you receive your cell phone bill for that month. : Before, unlimited calling was a little pricey, depending on your phone carrier. Now, many carriers are making the bill a tad cheaper, though all that glitters isn’t gold. Meaning, there’s always a catch.

Last month, Verizon and AT&T announced that they were cutting the prices on their unlimited cell phone calling plans to $70 a month from $100. Yes, that seems like a great deal. The thing is, that doesn’t include the other features that technology savvy people can’t live without; a text and data plan. So with the cost of these features, you’re steadily rising from $70 on up. With sites like fixmycellbill.com and billshrink.com, people have been comparing their bills to what they would cost with unlimited plans to see what works for them. Unlimited deals were found to NOT be the best plan for 75% of the people that opted to compare their bills.

Though this number is pretty high, you have to do what’s right for you. (I’m actually doing pretty well with T-Mobile).What do you think of unlimited plans? Are they a good deal, based on your carrier?

Planning To Hit the Slopes This Winter?

Well you don’t have to go to Aspen to do so. You can ski in all the splendor and glory of your own backyard! Visit the Ober Gatlinburg for all of you snow treading needs!

Here are a few tips before you go:

• Review the stats of the resort you visit. Make sure that they have enough trails for your level of expertise and if lessons are available (because you know you need them!) It would also help if families knew whether the resort catered to kids or not.
• Purchase lift tickets online
• Avoid skiing on weekends if you can; that way you’ll avoid huge crowds.

Super Bowl Party Recipe for You to Try!

The big game’s coming up this weekend. Needs ideas for the huge shindig you’re throwing? Well here’s a recipe that’s sure to satisfy any Saints (or Colts) fan!

Chili and Cheese Shooters

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped 
• 1 15-ounce can kidney beans
• 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
• 1 1.25-ounce package chili seasoning mix
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons chili powder, or to taste
•  1 cup beer, or more as needed
• 1 bag corn chips, for serving
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, for serving

 

• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, cook beef and onion until meat is brown. Stir in beans, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning, salt, pepper, chili powder and beer. Reduce heat and simmer 2 hours. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired.
• Place a heaping teaspoon of chili on top of each corn chip and top with a sprinkling of cheese. Serve warm.

Next Page »