Columnists

Raising adolescents these days is not easy and experiencing some amount of difficulty is normal.

The 2013 holiday season is already upon us, and there are a wide variety of entertaining performances and exhibits available for local residents to enjoy. The following list is just a sampling of pleasant ways to enhance this time of year.

Like many pets, kittens and cats are considered part of the family. People have such a close bond with cats, so it is no surprise we want to spoil them every so often. The next time your kitten or cat deserves a treat, instead of reaching for the factory-created ones in a pouch, consider one of the three recipes for homemade cat treats I feature today.

Q: I heard that male calico cats are extremely rare and valuable. Is this true? And why haven’t people tried to cash in on this?

From the wistful, beautiful first notes of Gershwin's classic “Summertime” at the opening of the first act, to the last notes of Porgy's “I'm On My Way” as he sets out to find his love at the end of the last act, this production is a glorious conglomeration of beautiful Gershwin music with a heart-wrenching plot creatively redesigned by award-winning director Diane Paulus. She brings us a bigger and better “Porgy and Bess” and her casting - for the most part - is impeccable.

“Amaluna” moves our planet to another universe and scans the surface of William Shakespeare's “The Tempest.” It moves its artists on a fanciful, unforgettable journey that - at times - takes the breath away. Esteemed award-winning Broadway director Diane Paulus has been given the reins to create this glorious work of art. (Paulus also directed the brilliant “Porgy and Bess” production now playing in San Francisco and the Tony winning revival of “Pippin”.)

People say their favorite holiday is Thanksgiving: no rushing around (except to get that turkey on the table), no gifts to wrap, no crush of holiday shopping. Just the natural warmth overflowing from a holiday filled with food, friends and family getting together to share and give thanks.

Many of us will have a green bean casserole on our Thanksgiving table, regardless if we like it or not. I was never a fan because it always seemed too “heavy” and lacked good flavor. I have had a change of heart over the last year and began to enjoy green bean casserole. My taste had not changed, but the recipe had. This week, I share my recipe for an “improved” Homemade Green Bean Casserole.