September

Colorful Images….and Chocolate!

We’ve all had those times of “feeling blue”. There are those times when we say we are “feeling a bit drab.” So it is no surprise that a recent psychological study indicates a significant correlation between biology and mood. The study measured retinal contrast (in the eyes) and noted differences when comparing persons who were clinically depressed with a control group of persons who were not. So while we each see the world with our own eyes, how colorful or colorless a person sees the world has a connection to our physical and emotional wellbeing. [Recognize that I am not a psychologist and I’m not qualified to write about long-term or intermittent clinical depression here. The “points of feeling blue” that I’m writing about are those that most women experience now and then---the blue mood times.] The blue-mood times are when we just seem to need a little boost of optimism.

So how is your world looking today? Is today a day where you are in the vibrant mood---the one of “color me beautiful?” How illuminated are you today?

How do you lift your spirits when you feel a bit drab? I try to talk myself into a good mood. Mind over matter. Change my thoughts and I can change my world. Think positive. Find something really exciting on which to focus. Be grateful. Sometimes I interrogate myself; I ask what it is that is behind this feeling? What is the root cause? And I keep asking that question until I can peg it. Once I name it, I can address it. Sometimes I go for a long walk. Physical exercise helps; so does fresh air and deep abdominal breathing. Each is uplifting in itself.

But the fastest way for me to lift up my spirits is with chocolate! Chocolate is a wonderful mood booster. Supposedly, chocolate stimulates the brain's dopamine production. Dopamine is important for diminishing pain sensations, enhancing pleasurable ones, and creating a sense of overall well-being. So there you have it…chocolate helps to create a sense of well-being. And when we possess a sense of well-being, we see the world in its full color spectrum. We even become vibrantly animated!

Think about this. If I have a continual craving for chocolate, does that mean that I also have a continual desire for well-being? For happy moods? You bet. I’m addicted to life! Welcome to my colorful, chocolate-loving world.

"Immensely moving ... terrifically original in concept ... it's a glorious show that rethreads

the fabric of American life and leaves you cheering." - Daily News

O'Connell & Company proudly presents

WORKING: A Musical

September 9 – October 3, 2010

WHO:

O'Connell & Company Productions in residence at Erie Community College North Campus.

WHAT:

Stephen Schwartz's WORKING: A MUSICAL based on the Studs Terkel book, adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso and featuring songs by Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor, Mary Rodgers, Micki Grant, Craig Carnelia & Susan Birkenhead.

STORY:

Based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, WORKING paints a vivid portrait of the men and women the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the parking lot attendant, the waitress, the millworker, the mason, the trucker, the fireman, the housewife, just to name a few. “It's a highly original look at the American landscape that’s simply impossible to forget.”

WHEN:

September 9 – October 3, 2010.

Showtimes: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm.

CAST:

Susana Breese, Erin Brignone, Lisa Dee, Marc-Jon Filippone, Todd Fuller, Gregory Gjurich,

Mary Coppola Gjurich, Michael Izard, Dudney Joseph, Pamela Rose Mangus, Victoria Perez,

Guy Tomassi, Roger Van Dette

PRODUCTION:

Mary Kate O'Connell/director, Gregory Gjurich/musical director,

Veronica Irene/choreographer, Larry Scheur/sound, Pam Snyder/costumes,

Hasheen DeBerry/lights, Rebecca Moskal/stage manager, Ron Swick/music

WHERE:

Performances are at O'CONNELL & COMPANY in residence at ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - North Campus in GLEASNER HALL, 6205 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221. (Theatre entrance on Youngs between Main & Wehrle)

TICKETS:

Tickets: Adult tickets are $22; students & seniors are $16; ECC Community tickets are $13. ECC Students with ID - Free

Dinner & Theatre Package: $45, before the show, enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared at:

THE STATLER ERIE ROOM: ECC North Campus Hospitality Management Department

or CITTA' DI MILITELLO, 760 Wehrle Dr., at the corner of Union Rd.

Boxoffice: Tickets and reservations are available by calling (716) 848-0800 or can be ordered online at www.OConnellandCompany.com

CONTACT:

For more information on WORKING and O’Connell & Company, please call 716-848-0800 or visit www.oconnellandcompany.

EXPERIENCE O'CONNELL & COMPANY

The Home of Great Theatre!

in residence at

ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - NORTH CAMPUS

Gleasner Hall

6205 Main St. Williamsville, NY 14221

(Theatre entrance on Youngs between Main & Wehrle)

Call for more information

716-848-0800

www.oconnellandcompany.com

Hello Cooking Enthusiasts!

As the Regional Cooking School Manager of Tops Friendly Markets, I get to meet many area Chefs and Instructors that share their recipes with me and the cooking school customers. Today, I would like to share information about Tops Cooking School, and all it has to offer. I may even share some great recipes with you!

Tops Markets has 2 area cooking schools, located right inside the Tops stores! I am located in Amherst, at 3980 Maple Rd. near N. Bailey. I can be reached at 716.515.2000. The second school is located at 355 Orchard Park Rd. in West Seneca, where you can reach my coordinator, Noreen at 716.517.3006.

We both have state of the art cooking schools featuring Viking appliances, and seating for up to 24.

Our classes start at just age 3, with a parent or guardian. These little chefs (ages 3-6) put on aprons, prepare the menu and get to eat their creations. Our Jr. Chefs (ages 7-12) prepare a little more advanced menu, with drop off of students.

Next is our Aspiring Chef classes (ages 13-16), who learn advanced cooking.

All these classes are a favorite with kids; all are hands on; many come to all of the classes in their age group. It’s always fun to bring a friend, and many do!

We also have birthday parties, Scout Programs, showers and team building events.

Our adult classes are both demonstration and hands on. Many classes have wine and beer pairing with local wineries and breweries, please read our calendar for more information on dates and times.

We also offer Health classes, taught by Registered Dieticians. These are covered in part by The Blues of WNY, Univera and Independent Health. Our Family Cooks Together, Diabetes, Healthy Heart, Eat Well Stay Fit programs are under this heading.

Whether it is ethnic cooking, appetizers, cooking for kids, or team building events, the Cooking School has the classes for you at a great price! Whether you are a novice cook or a seasoned pro, the Cooking School can offer you new ideas for great taste creations, so come on in, bring a friend, join in the party, and have some fun, where at The Cooking School, “A Good Cook is Born each Day!”

To get our quarterly calendar, go to www.topsmarkets.com, click on meal ideas. We also have the calendars in area stores. Mention this column when registering, and you can bring a friend for ½ price! Hope to see you soon!

Grace Hanusin, Cooking School Mgr, Tops Markets

September Highlights

As I look out the window at the 90 degree weather, I can’t believe summer is coming to an end soon. Gone will be those days of grilling most everything. Ovens and stoves are back into the picture! Soon, the leaves will be falling, and the sights and smells of autumn will surround us.

Autumn is a fabulous time of the year for apples, pumpkins, squash and all the great recipes that can be prepared with these delicious fruits of our labor. We have some great classes coming up in September. Listed below are just a few of them, along with some great autumn dessert recipes! All you need to do is call the cooking school location that you want to sign up at, and reserve your seat using a credit card. We offer hands on and demonstration classes. So come on in and join the fun and laughter here at the Cooking school!

Southwest Grilling

Chef Shayna Raichilson- Zadok

Wednesday, September 8, 6-8:30 PM AMHERST

Wednesday, September 15, 6-8:30 PM WEST SENECA

$25, 2/$40

Southwestern cooking includes New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Utah. This region's rustic cuisine has some of the spiciest and most colorful American food anywhere. Chef Shayna will share some great southwestern grilling recipes tonight! Veggie Burgers, Cilantro-Lime Salmon, Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salad, Chicken Fajitas

From the Garden

Chef Richard Kellogg

Monday, September 13, 6-8:30 PM AMHERST

Thursday, September 9, 6-8:30 PM WEST SENECA

$25, 2/$40

Chef Richard has taken great garden fare and paired it up with meat to make a perfect meal for this time of year! Sweet Peppers and Italian Sausage, Asian Style Coleslaw, Chicken Breast with Tomato Concasse, Apple Crisp

Nuts for…Nuts!

Chef Amy Weisenburger

Tuesday, September 28, 6-8:30 PM AMHERST

Thursday, September 30, 6-8:30 PM WEST SENECA

$25, 2/$40

Crunchy, nutty goodness, come celebrate legumes in some favorite forms! Learn a super-quick snack using popular nut mixes- great for company or holidays, and enjoy some of autumn’s bounty with a healthy wrap sandwich. Don’t worry about the recipes being too healthy, though, we’ll indulge at dessert time! Spiced Nuts, Ginger Peanut Chicken Wraps, Brown Rice with Walnuts & Cranberries, Blueberry Almond Bars

Cooking on a Dime… Hands On

Instructor Rose Ann Ross

Tuesday September 14, 6-8 PM AMHERST

Tuesday, September 21, 6-8 PM WEST SENECA

$25, 2/$40

Let’s feed our families meals that are reasonable, nutritious and great tasting. These recipes should fit right in, no matter what lifestyle you lead!

Homemade Italian Wedding Soup, Northern Pasta, Creamy Onion Garlic Bread,

Individual (No Bake) Strawberry Cheese Cake

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Instructor Julia Assad, RD

Wednesday, September 15, 6-8 PM AMHERST

Wednesday, September 22, 6-8 PM WEST SENECA

$20 (may be covered in part by local health Insurance)

Do you think you’re at risk for Heart Disease? According to the American Heart Association more than 80 million Americans have some form of heart disease. Knowledge and prevention are vital in the preclusion of heart disease. Julia will discuss the risk factors of heart disease and healthy habits you can follow to avoid an unhealthy heart. Apricot Canapés Appetizer*, Brussels Sprouts with Walnut-Lemon Vinaigrette*, Pecan-Crusted Chicken, Cherries with Ricotta and Toasted Almonds*

September-Healthy Potluck Pleasers

Instructor Pam Beamer, RD, CDE

Tuesday, September 21, 6-8 PM AMHERST

Tuesday, September 28, 6-8 PM WEST SENECA

$20, (may be covered in part by local health Insurance)

Many of our friends and family are trying to eat healthier for a variety of reasons. This class will give advice and guidelines for serving healthy food to a crowd. These are recipes EVERYONE can appreciate! Grilled Red Pepper Dip*, Zucchini Rice Casserole, Eggplant and Tomato Gratin*, Peanut Butter Cereal Bars*

Family Cooks Together

Fish; Our Gateway to Omega 3’s Hands On

Instructor Julia Assad, RD Amherst

Instructor Wendy Scime RD, West Seneca

Monday, September 27, 6-8 PM AMHERST & WEST SENECA

$20 adult, $10/ child under 12 (may be covered in part by local health Insurance)

Fish is a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids and protein. We all know we should be eating more fish, but it’s hard to find a recipe the whole family will enjoy. Let’s make this great meal together and soon it will be on your family favorite list! Fish Tacos, Chunky Tomato Salsa*, Sweet Potato Oven Fries*, Glazed Roasted Pineapple *

Easy Breezy Autumn Fare

Instructor Wendy Scime

Wednesday, September 22, 6-8 PM AMHERST

Tuesday, September, 14, 6-8 PM WEST SENECA

$20, (may be covered in part by local health Insurance)

Wow! The summer is gone, kids are back at school, and sometimes autumn takes us by surprise. This evening Wendy will try and make you feel good again by cooking up a great healthy meal that can be served any season of the year! Pan Seared Shrimp, Spiced Rice*, Dilled Carrots and Green Beans*, Banana Foster Sundaes*

Just a couple of miles from my house sits the Great Baehre Swamp, just where Hopkins was once a corduroy road. Inside the swamp, a boardwalk wide enough for a kid on a bike to pass walkers parallels the sidewalk. One sign as you enter says walk your bikes and another one says be safe—walk with a friend, but almost everyone ignores these. When illicit bikes threaten solitary walkers, most of us just lean quietly against the rail fence until they go by.

Mercedes-Benz of Buffalo Fashion Week 2010

Presented by RPM Entertainment Productions, Inc.

September 9th-September 16th 2010

Week long events and shopping incentives all leading up to our premiere event-

Runway show on September 16th, 2010

7:30pm at the Buffalo Convention Center

Tickets available through our website:

www.fashionweekbuffalo.com

Visit our facebook page and follow us on twitter @BFLfashionweek

Feel free to contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Refresh the page to review the Mercedes-Benz of Buffalo Fashion Show 2009 again, or visit their website to see more!