Santaland Diaries and Other Great Shows To Get You In The Holiday Spirit
Monday, December 07, 2009
I first saw the “Santaland Diaries” at Horizon Theatre in Little 5 Points a few years ago with some friends. We had a blast! It was hysterical and right on point for the holiday season. So, it was a no brainer to kick off my holiday season by seeing it again this past Saturday night. It did not disappoint. As a local actor that performs with a sketch comedy troupe in town (shameless plug coming up later in this blog), Crumpet’s humor was right up my alley. And as an actor, I am fairly critical of theater and cinema, in general. More often than not, my complaint is: “It was just too long.” Santaland Diaries’ 90 minute, intermission-free show, flew by in no time.
If you’re familiar at all with David Sedaris’ writing and appreciate his sardonic humor, you will love this show. The story recounts his time working as an elf for Macy’s one Christmas season. Harold M. Leaver plays Crumpet, Sedaris’ elf character, as he has for the past decade when he actually was my instructor for the one drama class I took at UGA. He is supported by two sidekicks that add a little “sketch” interpretation to the monologue and get as many laughs as Leaver himself, especially Enoch King. The show runs through January 3rd, so there are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy the sarcasm and cocktails that is “Santaland Diaries”. Visit http://www.horizontheatre.com for tickets and information.
If slightly off-color humor is your thing, then you should also check out the “Sketchworks Company Holiday Party 2” this Saturday night, December 12th, in Decatur. A $20 ticket gets you a free drink, great appetizers, live music, a silent auction and a one-hour sketch show that will make you pee in your pants. Actually, I think it’s one of my characters on stage that pees in her pants, but feel free to join in on the fun. I will only point and laugh once…maybe twice.
Unlike most of our show runs, this is one night only and is more of a party than anything else. It’s our opportunity to put on a funny-as-always show and then enjoy the company of all the great people that have supported us throughout the years. It will definitely be the most fun holiday party you attend this year. One note of caution: we are equal opportunity offenders at Sketchworks, so if you are the least bit prudish, “The Nutcracker” or “A Christmas Carol” might be the better options for your holiday entertainment. Visit http://www.sketchworkscomedy.com for tickets and more information.
And to round out our irreverent holiday humor lineup, Dad’s Garage is running “Invasion: Christmas Carol” through December 23rd. An improvisational take on a holiday classic by the immeasurably talented cast at Dad’s Garage is a must for your holiday. Even the cast doesn’t know which ghosts will show up for the show on any given night, so it should be a great and surprising ride. Every night will be different and you will never view Scrooge in the same light again. It’s guaranteed. Visit http://www.dadsgarage.com for tickets and more information.
I hope you’ll make it out to one or all of these holiday shows this year. You’ll not only have a rip-roaring good time, but you’ll also be giving back to local theater which has been hit as hard as anyone in these tough economic times. And with most tickets under $30, you won’t be breaking the bank. Enjoy! - Ashlee Heath
Posted in: Intown Living
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning The 2009/2010 Federal Homebuyer Tax Credit
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Here are some of the more frequently asked questions
concerning the 2009 / 2010 Federal Homebuyer Tax Credit
Question: How much is the credit?
Answer: Up to $8,000 for first time Buyers ($4,000 if married and filing separately), with a $75,000 income limit for a single person and $150,000 for a married couple. For a ‘repeat Buyer’ the credit is up to $6,500 ($3,250 if married and filing separately). Additionally, the income limit is $125,000 for a single person and $225,000 for a married couple. For both, there is a $20,000 ‘phase-out’.
Question: I am an existing homeowner and am looking to move soon. Must the home I buy cost more than the old home I will be selling?
Answer: No.
Question: I am a first time homebuyer waiting to close on the purchase of my home. This year, my income is lower than the income limits set forth in the Tax Credit Bill. We will close by the end of November 2009. However, I just got a new job and my income for 2010 will exceed the income limits stated in the Bill. Am I still eligible for the credit?
Answer: Yes. The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the Closing Date. So you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you’re within the phase-out range).
Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I have found a home where the Seller will not agree to a price lower than $825,000. Will I be able to use any of the $6500 tax credit?
Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an absolute ceiling.
Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago and have been renting since. If I buy now, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet the other eligibility tests?
Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000 and lived there until 2007 when they got a divorce. It would not matter if John has been renting since the divorce; he would be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The keyword here is “consecutive”.
Question: I am an eligible first time homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the extension date affect me?
Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Since the ‘new’ legislation is in effect, it is as if the previous, November 30 cut-off date never existed. So as long as the contract closes before April 30 (or July 1, worst case), you will be eligible for the credit.
- Scott Askew
Posted in: Intown Atlanta Real Estate News
Handy Helpers - Common Household Items page one
Friday, November 20, 2009
This is the first in a series of short articles highlighting alternate uses of items you probably already have in your home. Enjoy!
Aluminum Foil
1) Sharpen scissors by cutting through 7 or 8 layers of foil a couple of times
2) Shine rusty chrome by taking a bit of water on a wadded-up piece of foil. Rub rust spots away!
3) Bird deterrent - Hang twisted strips of aluminum foil around fruit trees, tomatoe plants, etc. The reflectors and sound will deter birds!
4) A grill liner of aluminum foil will keep your grill from being encrusted with soot.
5) Electromagnetic interference between CD/DVD players and TVs? Put a sheet of foil between them.
6) For better, more efficient ironing, put a sheet of foil under your ironing board cover to reflect heat back which is more efficient and both sides get ‘ironed’ at one time.
7) When you’re through ironing, clean starch build-up from your iron by running your hot iron over a piece of foil.
Ammonia
1) Clean combs by soaking them for a couple of hours in a glass of 1 part ammonia and 10 parts water; then rinse thoroughly.
Aspirin
1) Remove perspiration stains from white fabrics by dissolving 2 aspirin in half cup of warm water; apply to stained areas; let stand for a couple of hours before washing.
2) Eliminate chlorine discoloration from HAIR by dissolving 8 aspirin in a glass of water and rubbing into hair; leave for about 10 minutes and rinse out. Then shampoo and rinse as normal.
3) Reduce pimple size/appearance by making a paste with a tad of water and a crushed aspirin. Cover the pimple with the paste; after a few minutes, rinse away.
4) If your car battery is struggling, recharge it by dropping 2 aspirin into the battery itself. This will perk it up to allow you to get to a shop to buy a new battery instead of being towed…
Save your life - Part I
Take ONE, low dose (baby) aspirin AT NIGHT. Most heart attacks happen in the early hours of the morning… this allows the strongest concentration to be in your system.
Save your life - Part II
Keep full strength aspirin by your side. If you have a heart attack, immediately dissolve TWO aspirin in your mouth and swallow with a bit of water. Then call 911, tell them what is going on and that you took 2 aspirin. Then start forcing yourself to cough. This contracts the chest muscles surrounding your heart. - Scott Askew
Posted in: Intown Living
Non-Toxic Alternatives for Daily Living in The Most Toxic City
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Forbes just named Atlanta the nation’s most toxic city. Really??!! More toxic than Detroit and Los Angeles? Wow. That is a dubious honor. Funny, we never hear Shirley Franklin demanding accolades for that distinction. It would explain The Real Housewives of Atlanta though… the nasty cat fights, poor wardrobe choices, Kim’s inability to grow her own hair… I digress.
For a slight hypochondriac like myself, this is not good news. Face masks, much like hats, just don’t look good on me. And in an effort to be a little “green” or the less flattering term, frugal, I pretty much gave up buying bottled water. So, while I ponder whether or not to invest in a personal air filter to wear around my neck, I thought I would highlight some products and services that provide non-toxic options for our everyday lives. It certainly wouldn’t hurt for us all to consider what we subject ourselves and our families to on a daily basis.
Method Home Products (http://www.methodhome.com)
Methods’s motto is “people against dirty”. I fall into that category one hundred percent. I am definitely against “dirty”, unless the word “martini” follows it. For years, I was somewhat skeptical of the cleaning powers of all-natural, green cleaning agents. I started out purchasing Method’s hand soaps and eventually picked up some household cleaners. I have to say I love their Le Scrub for the bathroom. My tub/shower has a grainy texture that traps every bit of dirt and makeup that I wash off. I have used multiple cleaning products over the years, and I have to say that the Le Scrub applied with a scrubby sponge works better than anything I’ve tried. And since I inevitably forget to wear gloves half the time when I clean, I don’t kick myself when I’m done, because my hands still feel soft.
Norpest Green (http://www.callnorthwest.com)
Northwest Exterminating has been serving Georgia for decades. They have a “green” pest control solution that is not only non-toxic to the environment, but your family and pets as well. I have not personally tried their services, but I have heard great things about them from others. I cancelled my pest control service with Orkin more than a year ago and haven’t had the need to engage pest services since then. If those darn ants rear their ugly masses again though, Northwest will be my first call.
Mercola Healthy Skin (http://www.mercolahealthyskin.com)
I am a product junkie. I have started skipping over any articles to do with skin care products in Lucky magazine, because I will always think “Hmmm. Maybe that is the miracle youth elixir that I’ve been missing”. Well, much like the exercise pill that I dream about, no time machines exist in moisturizer format that I’ve been able to find. Sadly, many of the self-advertised miracle creams have the adverse affect on my sensitive skin. So, I recently decided to give organic skincare a try. I already take daily organic supplements that I purchase from http://www.mercola.com, and I’ve been very pleased with the results. I love their skincare! My skin is soft, supple, smooth and has a rosy glow. The products don’t make my skin break out, and I feel good about using them on my skin. Next, I’ll try the body skin care balms and see if they will melt cellulite… a girl can still dream.
Morningside Farmers’ Market (http://www.morningsidemarket.com)
Morningside Farmers’ Market has been providing organic produce to intown neighborhoods since 1995. Every Saturday morning, 8 AM - 11:30 AM, you’ll find the farmers and artisans set up for business in the parking lot next to Rosebud, across the street from Alon’s Bakery. Previously, I was part of an organic CSA that received produce each week, brought in by farmers outside the city. The organic produce was not only healthy, in season and free from pesticides, but it also was delicious. It was a great program, but I decided I preferred choosing my own produce for the week at the Morningside Market, which also allows me to interact with the community I serve. Our Fourteen West, REALTORS office is just a few doors down. A friend and fellow actor, Karen Morgan, has a booth there. Her company, Pure Bliss Organics, makes the most delicious fruit and nut bars. I plan to pick some more up this Saturday morning. Hope to see you there!
Well, that’s all I’ve got for today. Feel free to join in the discussion with your own suggestions for non-toxic everyday items. - Ashlee Heath
Posted in: Intown Living
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