Family
How to Keep the Fun Alive When Camping at Night
The weather’s getting warmer which means that the season for camping, adventure hiking, and general outdoorsy fun is upon us once more! But if you’re a camping novice, or it’s simply been a while since your last getaway, it might be tricky knowing what you’ll need to get you through those chilly bushland nights, whether it be for survival’s sake or for sheer entertainment. Whatever your style, here’s a small list of must-haves for any overnight campers.
Let there be light!
For starters, never underestimate the power of good torches. And yes I mean torches, plural. Each camper on any trip should aim to have at least one quality full-sized LED torch, as well as one back-up pocket torch on their person or easily accessible in their pack at all times. When you’re adventure hiking or even overnight camping on uneven terrain, a good torch can quite honestly be the difference between a bad situation and a totally mitigated situation.
On a less serious note, my last camping trip introduced me to a game called ‘Flashlight Tag’, a short and sweet strategic, mentally-stimulating game that proved to be a fantastic way to wind down after a particularly physically demanding day. I highly recommend it for post-hike fun!
Marshmallows, skewers, and other fun fixins’
There’s nothing more nostalgia-inducing than sitting around a campfire with a value bag of marshmallows at your feet, and maybe even some crackers or bread to fix up some sweet yet smoky sandwiches. But even if you’re not a sweet tooth, there’s still plenty of foods you can prepare by the campfire, from hotdogs and meaty skewers to roasted corn and potatoes. Preparing food by the campfire can be an incredibly uniting and refreshing activity, and can pave the way for a night of magical story-telling, game-playing, song-singing, and effortless conversation.
Pens and pads
It’s good to see that notepads and pens are being added to more camping checklists across the internet, as the benefits of writing down your thoughts during camping trips cannot be understated. Think of it like this. We usually embark on outdoor getaways to clear our headspace and detox from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So, it makes sense to get back to basics when it comes to our thought processes, and taking the extra time being awarded to you by your holiday schedule to pay closer attention to your thoughts. The best way to do this is by engaging in the physical act of writing. After a couple of nights of writing as a means of winding down, you’ll undoubtedly find that you’re going to bed with a clearer head and waking up in the morning feeling exponentially refreshed and ready for the next day’s adventures.
Playing cards
Speaking of returning back to basics, there is a myriad of games that you can play on your phone or other electronic devices at any given time. There are even a lot of games you can play that require absolutely no equipment or devices whatsoever (like the infamous ‘I Spy’). But there’s also quite certainly something irrefutably comforting about whipping out a deck of cards in a cosy tent and playing some quick hands of poker, rummy, or ‘Go Fish!’, that lovable ‘school camp’ favourite. Playing cards are simultaneously versatile and simplistic and will be sure to offer you and your fellow campers with a myriad of easy activities all in one slim package.
If you’re a veteran camper, you’d know that this is an incredibly short list of activities you can use to make the most of your valuable dusk till dawn hours during camping trips. And if you’re a truly avid camper, you’d probably be a touch livid that star-gazing didn’t make it onto this list, but rest assured that this final activity is in a league of its own. And honestly, it goes without saying that, if you can go star-gazing, you should most definitely go star-gazing!
I was taken to City Winery by Eli Marcus for the Beatles Brunch with Strawberry Fields. 
This show plays every Sunday with an unlimited brunch buffet that includes coffee, tea and juice, starting at noon. A bottomless brunch cocktail package is also available and children get in free. Here tourists mingle with New Yorkers, eating scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, dried out French toast, spicy potatoes with onions and peppers, perfectly done chicken, salad and fresh fruit. What is so nice, is that everyone seems happy to to be here, to see and hear the Fab Four.
Eli Marcus, Suzanna Bowling
The show starts off without fan fare. The lights dim and four men enter, not quite looking like the originals. Tony Garofalo (John Lennon), Billy J. Ray (Paul McCartney), Ira Siegel (George Harrison), and Michael Bellusci (Ringo Starr) and their costumes and wigs have seen better days. Then the music starts. You can watch one of our video’s here.
From the early hits like “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “She Loves You,” “Ticket To Ride” “Eight Days A Week” and more the first act is nostalgia at it’s best. It was adorable to watch the audience, especially the young ones “Twist and Shout.”
After a break in came the Sergeant Pepper era, clothing and all. From that we got “Nowhere Man,” “My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “When I’m 64,” “Penny Lane” and songs that dig into your soul. They are done well and the Beatles live again. You can see our video here.
Then the later songs like “I Am The Walrus” and “Don’t Let Me Down” end a show that is almost two hour long of music, that is classic. I have to admit I wanted to hear “Blackbird” and “Norwegian Wood,” but what you get is a well rounded assortment of those songs that shaped several era’s.
Billy J. Ray, Ira Siegel
Ira Siegel stands out with his guitar playing that is out of this world. I really loved all the songs he sang as well.
Michael Bellusci
Michael Bellusci, gives Ringo a run for his money on the drums.
Tony Garofalo
Tony Garofalo is the founder, creator and producer playing rhythm and lead guitar and singing lead vocals along with Alan LeBoeuf from the original Beatlemania playing bass guitar. Ray looks the most like the Beatle he is playing.
Alan LeBoeuf, Ira Siegel
Alan LeBoeuf, Ira Siegel
Alan LeBoeuf
Strawberry Fields has been covering The Beatles for over three decades. They used to have a residency at B.B. Kings, but these days their home base is City Winery and it is definitely a great way to spend a Sunday. All four are consummate musicians and obviously have a love for what they do and that rubs off on their audience.
For a souvenir up a City Winery Strawberry Fields Rose Wine and have it signed by the cast. With its is its strawberry pink color, you get a combination of kiwi, watermelon and the taste of strawberry that lingers.
City Winery is right next to Little Island, Chelsea Market, The Highline, the Meatpacking district, Chelsea, and West Village. Everything is nearby to make a perfect outing for the whole day and this is one brunch where you definitely get your money’s worth. Click HERE for tickets
Tickets are $65.45
Thank-you again to Eli Marcus and the staff of Dave and Buster’s, at 234 West 42nd Street.
Eli Marcus
Eli was sending the concierge’s to the show The Shark Is Broken.
The producers of The Shark Must Be Broken, Eli Marcus and the general manager of Dave and Buster’s
There were lots of new friends to be made such as Carol Mennie, Caroline Rosado from the Hilton, Dinnella Collado from the Washington Square Hotel, Benjamin Maddy from Dave and Buster’s and Maddie of Benjamin Steakhouse Prime
Maddie
This destination for sports enthusiasts, foodies, and arcade offers space, fun and some fabulous happy hour deals.
All across the multiple screens were football, basketball, and hockey games from across the sporting world. At the sports bar an impressive selection of drinks, including craft beers, signature cocktails await. I sampled some their tasty bites and was impressed.
wings
Pretzel Dogs
To sooth your inner child air hockey and arcade games are waiting to be played.
Margarita and I playing for Make A Wish
If you are looking for entertainment they have a legendary Trivia Night with fantastic prizes.
Double Pepperoni Flatbread
wings
BBQ Chicken Flatbread
This is actually a great place to throw your holiday parties.
Fire-Grilled Atlantic Salmon
Boneless Wings
Chocolate- and caramel-filled churros with chocolate and salted caramel dipping sauces.
I am so glad the Mayor of Times Square invited me to his event.
Margarita Parlionas and Eli Marcus
-Kent Walz, attorney & journalist
Diane Dimond’s book on the scourge of abusive adult guardianships is coming out very soon. It only took her 8 long years of investigation and countless interviews with affected people to get to the bottom of this extremely flawed part of the justice system.
People who have lived through this nightmare knows first hand what this “protective” part of the court system can do to rip apart families. But because it’s such a secretive system few Americans realize that they – or someone they love – could be guardianized without warning. It’s not just Britney Spears – up to 2 million people currently live under guardianship/court control.
All it takes is for someone (a vindictive relative, a greedy business partner, a former lover, even a landlord) to file a guardianship petition with the court saying someone is not competent to care for themselves. The judge usually agrees – often without ever seeing the targeted person – and the guardianship is established. Judges routinely appoint a total stranger as guardian to make all life decisions for the new “ward of the court.” All their civil rights are stripped away and, suddenly, the person has no say in their own life –they can’t even hire their own lawyer to fight it. There are many more horrific aspects to this “justice” system and Ms. Dimond spells it all out in the book.
We’re Here to Help – When Guardianship Goes Wrong not only reveals the predatory nature of the system (which controls a collective $50 billion in ward’s money every year!) but also tells what to look out for. It provides a guide for readers to protect themselves and those they love.
Diane Dimond is the author of four books including the upcoming, “We’re Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong,“ published by Brandeis University Press, released Sept. 19, 2023
On September 18th at 7:00 PM at The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, Voices: Stars for Foster Kids a musical benefit for You Gotta Believe, a NYC organization specializing in helping older foster youth find permanent, loving families will take place. Hosted by SiriusXM’s Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, expect a plethora of Broadway stars and performers, who will come together to celebrate the power of love and family.
Performers include; Rosie Perez, Bellamy Young, Ta’ Nika Gibson, Charlotte d’Amboise and Terrence Mann, Sharon Catherine Brown, Griffin Matthews and Matt Gould, Krysta Rodriguez, Anika Larsen, Norm Lewis, Gracie McGraw, Patina Miller, Brenda Braxton
Disabled people constitute the largest minority group in the world, yet are the most underserved and underrepresented.Shopping for clothes is challenging enough, but for anyone whose body falls outside the norm, it is next to impossible. Disabled people hold a lot of power, and it is about time that they are represented with apparel that makes them feel confident with adaptive designs that can empower people with disabilities. Big names such as Tommy Hilfiger’s disability-friendly collection, which includes adaptive features like Velcro closures, magnetic buttons and adjustable hems and Nike’s Go FlyEase shoe, marks the first hands-free sneaker ever made.
Yesterday we wrote about one of the most inspiring events I have ever attended. A Fashion Revolution featured adaptive and universally designed apparel, footwear, and products from: Zappos, Kohl’s, Target, JCPenney, Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, Stride Rite, Steve Madden, French Toast Adaptive, adidas, and the runway debut of Victoria’s Secret and PINK’s first-ever Adaptive Intimates – showcased on 70 models, with varying disabilities and backgrounds, in addition to loved ones, caregivers and support animals.
Runway of Dream or RoD, raises awareness through large scale runway shows, but can you image…we all have to get dressed every day and when there are no clothes that make you feel wanted, that has to do something to your self worth. Despite fashion’s rallying cries for inclusion, it seems that only applies to race, gender, sexuality, age, size, and religion, but rarely to one’s abilities. If you have limited use of your arms or a pant that would work for someone with a prosthetic.
Fashion should be everybody’s right and this was a night to be celebrated.
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