Opinion

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”.)

It’s dark as Hedes at 5 p.m. and it’s a sure bet that some of the clocks in many a home and business are pointing to the wrong time.

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.

Wow, what a difference a few months makes. Starting in early 2012 and thorough summer of this year, houses were selling as fast as they came on the market. Most homes were getting multiple offers, and nice homes were getting 10-20 offers. Selling prices were driven up well beyond what most of us expected. Buyers were waving inspections, appraisal and loan contingencies and still getting outbid. Many unsuccessful buyers got frustrated and threw in the towel.

It's time to start thinking about holiday decorating. If that makes your palms sweat or gives you a headache, take a deep breath and don't worry! Decorating for the holidays doesn't need to be a huge or expensive production. Craft and grocery stores are great places to pick up inexpensive ingredients for your seasonal decorating. Here are some easy ideas that will make your autumn decorating simpler, less expensive but still seasonal and fun.

Fall is the traditional time in the northern hemisphere to celebrate God's blessings and express gratitude for successful harvests. As our nation's “chief annual ceremony of American civil religion,” Thanksgiving has had an interesting history.

In London in 1976, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice released an album of a show that would be called “Evita.” By early 1977, the album took the world by storm and when “Evita” premiered in London in June 1978, everyone was humming "Don't Cry For Me Argentina." In September 1979, “Evita” opened on Broadway to a sold out run and won seven Tonys, including Best Musical, Score, Book and Director. “Evita's” Broadway run went on for four years.