fransfamousnuts

This post is a shameless plug for fransfamousnuts (just click on that name and you will be delivered to her website. Now why would The Ancient One put what, in reality, is a commercial in this space?


Well, you see, Fran is my oldest niece; I won't say how old but when she was an infant, I was the teenage baby sitter. Fran has her own business, Group 230 Design, back in Michigan but somewhere along the way she found a way to add a glaze and spices to almonds, cashews and pecans. When I heard about this venture, I requested a sample of her "fiery, fabulous recipe." Being a loving niece, she sent me a small package which I polished off without sharing.

I can attest to the accuracy of Fran's advertising. I have experienced fiery food before (and I like it) but have not associated fire with nuts. I did like them and decided to mention them here. That's the commercial!

Thanks for sending the nuts Fran! They were great! I hope a couple of folks who stop by go to your website (here) and decide to try them. Let me know if they do. Do you need a west coast rep?

And from now on, back to non-commercial blogging. . .

They Came to See His Barroom Close

This afternoon we went to the closing performance of The Face on the Barroom Floor at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. As I mentioned last week, younger son Seth made his debut as a Director with this production. As a parent, I saw something very special at today's performance. About 10 (+/-) of Seth's friends showed up to see the last show of his first run. All were high school classmates and all but one had been "drama geeks" with Seth. If we counted right, 3 of them have been friends of his since grade school. Seth was looking good after the show surrounded by all these friends.

I don't know how many young adults continue to be close with their old classmates and school friends. Once I was out of high school, I only had 2 friends with whom I have remained close over the decades. But Seth is part of a group of friends that all seem like family to us. We see them all during the year. We have watched them grow up. And as I watched them today supporting their friend's success, I was a very happy and proud father.

Well, the Barroom has closed. Congratulations to cast and crew for a fine run. And thanks to all of you who were there supporting your friend!

A Barroom Unlike Any Other

This past Sunday, I attended the matinee performance of Tim Kelly's The Face on the Barroom Floor at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. It just so happened that this was the first directing effort of younger son Seth, the new drama teacher at the school.

If you like puns and really corny jokes, you will love this play. As the director noted in his program comments, it has the kind of humor he complained about incessantly growing up and listening to on a daily basis as it spewed from the lips of The Ancient One. I guess I would describe the play as a western farce and the jokes and laughing begin right at the start and continue through the most wonderfully rollicking final 10 minutes I have ever seen on stage.

The entire cast of 14 students was extremely talented and I hesitate to single out any one of them. That means, of course, that I am about to do just that. Zachary Barryte was absolutely delightful as the arch villain Roderick Rodent. Not for one moment did he stray from his character and his comic timing was perfect. I could probably say the same thing about the rest of the cast too but I have known Zach since he was about 5 years old and his family does live across the street from us. So, I offer my kudos to Zach and apologize to the rest of the cast for not mentioning their names while congratulating them all on great performances.

Barroom continues this week with 7 p.m. performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and a 2 p.m. closing on Sunday. Where? The PAC at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Hawthorne Boulevard @ Silver Spur Road in Rolling Hills Estates, CA. Tickets online at: PENHIGHDRAMA.COM and information by phone at 310.377.4888 x830. If you are within commuting distance, don't miss it! The director's dad wants you there!