BOOM Magazine December 2015

DECEMBER 2015 • JANUARY 2016

Rethinking

Traditions Winter Workouts Holiday Travel Health and Safety Meaningful Christmas Gifts Skin Cancer Knowing What to Look For

www.goodwill-ni.org

“I was arrested more times than I can remember. I lost my freedom, my family‌ I almost lost my life. But mom never gave up on me. Not many stories like mine have happy endings. My future began when Goodwill Janie #give2goodwill

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What's inside

EVERY MONTH 4

On The Cover

5

Contributors & Testimonials

6

BOOM Timeline

boom RECIPE

8

24

Pecan Tarts

By: Katie & Theresa Slott

boom BOOK REVIEW 30

Yes, My Accent Is Real: And Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You

By Kunal Nayyar Reviewed By: Karen Palmer

boom PETS 31

Loving Animals Are In Need Of Families

boom HEALTHY LIVING

22

8

Skin Cancer

10

Taking Care Of Your Pearly Whites

By: Luiz Pantalena

By: Rita Miller

12

Creaking A Winter Exercise Plan

14

Cabinet Shakeup

By: Rita Miller

By: Margo Bell

boom HOBBIES 16

The Imitation Game Photo Courtesy: www.theverge.com

16

Film Flubs

By: Margo & Jim Bell

Boom TRAVELER 18

Holiday Travel Health & Safety By: Jamie Lober

Boom HOME 20

Choosing Your Christmas Décor Theme

By: Rita Miller

boom LIFE 22

Holiday Seasonal Beers

26

Rethinking Traditions

28

Meaningful Gifts To Give To Your Grandchildren

By: Chuck Bergman

By: Pam Gunterman By: Cindy Sawyer

cover photographer

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Ann Reiff is one of Michiana’s Premiere Real Life Photographers. Her heart and soul define her style, as she is able to capture the moments we wish to always remember. Ann shoots all varieties of sessions at her studio in Southwest Michigan and also loves doing shoots on location.

Contact her at: www.studio513east.com, ann@studio513east.com 269-228-0373

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on the cover

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER: Betsy Tavernier Betsy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Managing Editor:

Jessica Haviland Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

18 Travel Safely This

AD COORDINATOR & INSIDE SALES MANAGER

Amanda Oiler Amanda@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Holiday Season

MEDICAL EDITOR: Dr. Jesse Hsieh

Distribution Managers: Leah Elick

BOOM Magazine is a division of Michiana Family Magazines, LLC established in 2006. All rights reserved.

12 Lose The Extra Winter Weight

We would love to hear from you!

Please submit press releases, -event information and inquiries to: Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com The FAMILY Magazines P.O. BOX 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaMom.com Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication.

28 Give The

Read BOOM Magazine online each month!

Go to www.MichianaMom.com and flip the pages, cover-to-cover the organic and green way!

December 2015 & JANUARY 2016 Volume 4: Number 12

Perfect Christmas Gifts To The Grandkids

8 Know The

Signs Of Skin Cancer LOOK WHO’s TALKING

26

Changing Traditions For The Better

follow us on Twitter, and become our fan on Facebook. @MichianaBoom www.facebook.com/pages/BOOM-Magazine/ www.pinterest.com/boommagazine/ MichianaBoom

boom / testimonials

It’s great to have a local magazine that centers on the baby boomers! It’s right up my alley!”

– Linda W.

boom / contributors

Margo Bell Margo Bell, a first-wave Boomer, has a B.S. degree in Biology from Arkansas State University and worked in medical and marine biology research before making a mid-life career change to writing for adults and children. Margo is a former magazine editor and has published over 50 articles and features in newspapers and magazines. She and her husband Jim live in South Bend and have two grandchildren.

Photo Credit: Classic Image Photography

Chuck Bergman

Each month I look forward to reading BOOM Magazine. There is no other local magazine like BOOM and it’s free!”

– Mary-Beth R.

Gardening, health, fitness, vacation ideas and so much more are exactly the type of articles I love to read. Thanks BOOM Magazine!”

– Rose D.

Chuck Bergman is a local michiana marketing professional and an avid home brewer. He fell in love with craft beer a few years ago and has never looked at beer the same way. He encourages everyone to support local breweries and be willing to “experience new tastes.”

RITa miller Rita Miller is a CPA in public practice, a mom of four, an avid reader and serves on two boards in the community. She has worked with a variety of industries, including medical professional services, real estate development and rental and retail establishments.

Want to know when BOOM Magazine is giving away some amazing prizes?

Sign up to be a part of our eBlast!

DECEMBER Events Christmas Movie Mix-Up

1 of Light, 2 Season 6:30 P.M., PHM Digital Video Theater-Mishawaka Christmas Concert, 3 Annual 7:30 P.M., Bethel College-Mishawaka Christmas, 7:00 P.m., 4 Christopher’s O’Laughlin Auditorium, St. Mary’s College

W Th F Sa

Winterlud Café Noel 2015, 7:30 P.M., Elkhart Civic Theatre

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Collector’s Show, 6 CD 11:00 A.M., Comfort Suites-South Bend 7 Pearl Harbor Day

Su M Tu

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Christmas Carol, 7:30 P.M., The Lerner-Elkhart It Forward 5K Santa Stroll, 12 Pay 8:00 A.M., Knights of Columbus Hall-Elkhart

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M

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On 34th Street, 20 Miracle 8:00 P.M., Goshen Art House

21 No Chaser, 7:30 P.M., 22 Straight Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend

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25

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6

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

26 Dempsey: Interlocations, 27 John All Day, South Bend Museum of Art

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Lunchtime Live! Free Organ Concert-Celia Weiss, 11:00 A.M., The Lerner-Elkhart

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3. “It’s Christmas Eve. It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year we are the people that we always hoped we would be.”

4. “This is extremely important. Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back.”

C. Home Alone D. It’s A Wonderful Life E. Scrooged

5. “Seeing is believing but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.”

Christmas at Copshaholm-The World at War, 5:00 P.M., The History Museum- South Bend

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B. The Polar Express

Christmas Décor

Comfy Christmas Décor www.upcycledtreasures.com

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2. “No! No! I want an official Red Ryder Carbine Action Two-Hundred Shot Range Model Air Rifle!”

Bad Voodoo Daddy, 17 Big 7:30 P.M., The Lerner-Elkhart

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A. A Christmas Story

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1. “Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.”

15 National Lemon Cupcake Day

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Laser Holidays, 6:30 P.M., PHM Digital Video Theater/Planetarium-Mishawaka

Pair each Christmas movie quote to the correct film!

Answers: 1(D), 2(A), 3(E), 4 (C), 5(B)

Tu

28 of The University of Notre Dame, All Day, 29 Paintings The Foundry in Eddy Street Commons at Notre Dame

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HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!

DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016 | boom

Top 5 New Year’s Eve Locations To Visit

Want to ring in the New Year other than sitting in your own home? Make an appointment with your travel agent and book one of these locations to make this year’s New Year’s Eve the best!

1. New York: Times Square is where you want to be!

Watch the ball drop live in person!

Modern Christmas Décor www.blog.styleestate.com

2. Las Vegas: Gamble, party and enjoy your entire night with memories that you will always cherish!

3. Chicago: With their new event happening this year, Chi-Town Rising, this celebration is close to home and free to the public!

4. Hawaii: Blankets, snow boots, gloves? Keep those at home and enjoy this New Year’s Eve in a swimsuit and a cocktail in your hand!

5. Mackinac Island: Get the full relaxation treatment on one of the most beautiful islands in America!

Everyday Christmas Décor www.christmas.365greetings.com

Your guide to living locally and loving life!

HEALTH • TRAVEL • FAMILY • PETS • HOBBIES RECIPES • EVENTS • FINANCE • LIFE MAY 2015

Making

APRIL

2015

Memories that

LAST

JUNE 2015

CELEBRATING

to words E LIV

BY

MOTHER'S DAY With Your Grandkids

The Importance of

SOUTH BEND

y A Bus MER OO B

p to Kee What Ditch to What

CELEBRATING

150 Years HERE COMES

THE SUN

THE PURSUIT OF

HOPPYNESS

PROUD TO BE AN AM ER

ICAN

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Healthy Living

Skin Cancer

Knowing What to Look For By: Luiz Pantalena, M.D., Ph.D., Dermatology Beacon Medical Group

I

n the June issue of BOOM, you might recall seeing an article about sun protection. As a dermatologist, I was very happy to see this important issue being promoted. But that was June, and the sun was out … now the sun is taking a break, and there’s no need to worry about skin cancer.

Right? Think again. Skin cancer can be a life-threatening condition. It is usually associated with sun exposure in fair-skinned individuals. And let’s face it, who hasn’t had their fair share of sun exposure?

Sunblock hadn’t even been invented when some of us were growing up!

Know the Bad Guys

Let’s briefly talk about the bad guys. There are three common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. When caught early, these three types of skin cancer are curable.

We start running into trouble when these cancers are left unchecked and allowed to grow.

Basal cell carcinomas tend to stay in one place. Only rarely are they life threatening. But they can grow deep, and turn into wounds that never heal. Even worse, they usually grow in cosmetically sensitive areas like the face and could grow to be deforming or compromise an eye or a nose.

Squamous cell carcinomas initially behave like basal cell carcinomas. But if left to grow, they can move to other places of the body (medical term is “metastasize”) and become life threatening.

Melanomas are the most aggressive of the common skin cancers. If caught early, they are highly treatable, but if not, they have a tendency to metastasize. Also, unlike the other two skin cancers, melanomas are also thought to have a genetic component. So your doctor may ask you whether anyone in your immediate family has a history of melanoma.

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DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016 | boom

If you happen to have a skin cancer, it is not the result of your sunny golf round last August. Skin cancer result from years of sun exposure, usually during one’s youth. Usually, skin cancers are slow-growing cancers that eventually become visible. Melanoma is the exception, as this skin cancer can grow quickly.

As is often the case with cancer, it is better to catch it early. This is certainly true with skin cancer. So what can you do to keep yourself skin cancer free? There are two basic steps. The first one is sun protection. This will keep you skin cells from being exposed to those high-energy sunrays that can lead to cancer. The second one is to stay on top of your skin, to deal with the damage that has already occurred.

Examining your own skin, and keeping an eye out for suspicious or growing spots, is important. But it is sometimes difficult to examine your back or the top of your head. Also, sometimes it is good to have a set of practiced eyes to determine if that spot is just a normal mole or a skin cancer. That is where the skin check (or “full body skin exam,” as it is formally called) comes in. This can be done by your family doctor or by a dermatologist.

“Examining your own

So what is a full body skin exam? First of all, it is a non-invasive test … so no poking and prodding! Patients are usually asked to put on a gown, and the whole pain-free exam takes between 5-10 minutes.

It involves your doctor looking closely at your skin, examining all the spots that could be cancerous.

skin, and keeping an eye out for suspicious or growing spots, is important.”

Your doctor may decide also to do a skin biopsy. This is a painless office procedure done at the same visit as your full body skin exam. Your doctor will numb the spot in question, take a small piece of skin and send it to the lab. The cells can then be examined underneath the microscope. If there is any doubt as to whether a spot is cancerous or not, the microscope settles it!

“If there is any doubt as to whether a spot is cancerous or not, the microscope settles it!”

What if you are found to have a skin cancer? Don’t panic, especially if your skin cancer was caught early. There are many different ways to stop a skin cancer in its tracks. Some involve creams or scraping the cancer off in the office. The treatments with the highest cure rates involve cutting the cancer cells out. Beacon Health System offers all of the treatment options, including the golden standard of surgical treatment: Mohs micrographic surgery.

So help your skin out! Protect against the sun, examine your own skin in the shower and remember to ask your doctor about a full-body skin exam. ••• boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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Healthy Living

Taking Care Of Your

W

hen I arrived in South Bend, I didn’t just bring a suitcase full of clothes; I also brought a mouth full of fillings. My rural Pennsylvania town had only a few dentists. In those days, dentists used very big, very loud and very painful drills to fix cavities. I was absolutely terrified of dentists for years. I never actually put off going to the dentist when I came to South Bend; I just fell to pieces at the thought of it. As I became older and bigger dental issues arose, the fears I had magnified. The thought of a crown or root canal spiraled into big-time nerves!

I was very fortunate to connect with a dentist that changed all of my preconceived notions and now every single fear is a memory. I can confidently go to her office, sit in the chair and not be a frantic mess. She has taught me so many things about dental health.

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DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016 | boom

By: Rita Miller

“Did you know that poor gum health can lead to heart disease?”

•

Go Electric: Do you still have that old Pepsodent toothbrush that you picked up at the grocery store for $2? You’ve kept it for a year, the bristles are worn down and it looks like a brush you would use to clean grout. For around $40, you can purchase an electric toothbrush that cleans every tooth crevice, shines your teeth brilliantly and keeps further decay at bay. The heads of the unit are replaceable, and should be changed monthly. I warn you though, there are more choices of heads for electric toothbrushes than there are Kcups for your coffeemaker. You can find specialty ones for flossing, sensitive teeth or whitening. No matter which you choose, I promise you that your teeth will feel wonderful. I would never switch back to a regular brush!

•

Behind every tooth is a healthy gum: I’ll never forget the day I was being examined for gum issues. The dentist takes a sharp little tool, pokes around every tooth and shouts out a measurement.

A two or three is passable but a four or higher indicates trouble. I had some troubled spots. I started using an electric water flosser and my gums are back to two’s and three’s on the scale of gum beauty. This handy little flosser is so easy to use, twice a day, to restore health to your gums. Did you know that poor gum health can lead to heart disease?

•

I admit to you that I’m a “brown teeth shamer.”

I notice teeth and I always think a bright smile is better than a dull brown smile. My dentist helped me brighten my own teeth. She suggested those strips you purchase at the drugstore. They cost around $50 and can be used every six months. The change in my smile is amazing. The dentist has a handy chart of tooth shades. Ask your dentist to show you where your teeth are on the chart. You may want to whiten a few shades and restore your sunny smile!

•

Finally, the importance of a mouth and breath rinse cannot be underestimated. My dentist has a natural rinse that I use twice a day. I’m sure is keeps me healthier in the winter, fights bad breath and leaves a pleasant feeling in my mouth.

Picture my bathroom vanity. It is three feet long, one sink in the center. To the left are facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer, two retinol creams, exfoliating scrub, eye cream and makeup. Staring right across the sink at those items are my electric toothbrush, electric water flosser, whitening strips and daily rinse. I pretend that I have a little spa. I take care of my skin and I take care of my teeth and I encourage you to think about making some healthy choices for your teeth. You won’t be sorry! ••• boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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Healthy Living

By: Rita Miller

Creating A Winter

Exercise Plan L

ast week I opened an email with the subject line “Winter Exercise Plan.” Until that very minute, I didn’t even know such a thing existed! What kind of plan needs to be set up for winter exercise? Does it include snowshoes or skis?

In my mind, anything enjoyed in 80 degree heat is superior to anything related to winter.

The email was from my company paid fitness/health mentor. Believe me, this man is a coach, cheerleader, linebacker, quarterback and trainer rolled into one!

He meets us at work, walks with us at lunch, leads us in exercises and brings homemade smoothies for our break. It is absolute heaven to get an email from him that gives you encouragement and uplift on a weekly basis. But, the winter exercise email may have been his best email ever.

I had committed to increasing my walking during the summer and fall. I kept walking and added mowing to keep my cardio goals intact.

Now that the weather was getting a little colder, it was harder to get outside. Exercise just seems more fun with great scenery and friends to walk with. Enter Dana Neer, my coach, who encouraged me to set up my winter plan. I thought about what I could accomplish, how I could work it around the time changes and earlier darkness, and submitted it to him for approval. Approval granted!

Dana encouraged me to make a realistic plan. The plan should include some sunlight most days, a group exercise if possible, and the right equipment for colder weather. Dana reminded me that having a positive attitude would make all the difference to the approaching cold air. Embracing the weather, rather than being disgruntled, would allow me enjoy the winter months in a healthier way, a way that includes exercise.

Dana firmly believes that exercising in a group can help cure winter blues. He suggested meeting with several friends in a bright and cheerful setting. Walking at the mall or meeting at a restaurant are spots that have a festive atmosphere. He suggested meeting at the designated spot, enjoying a brisk walk or run outside, then regrouping for hot cocoa. The emphasis is on good attitude, bright spaces, friends, sunlight and exercise.

“Embracing the weather, rather than being disgruntled, would allow me enjoy the winter months in a healthier way, a way that includes exercise.”

I formulated a plan to walk 30 minutes, twice a week, on my treadmill. That is my easy exercise because I can do it in two parts: one part before work and one part after.

Believe it or not, I like to walk on my treadmill in bare feet, so no additional equipment is necessary! Add to that two days of outdoor walking on the weekend and one indoor walk at the mall to make a total of five days of exercise all throughout the winter. For the outdoor walks, Dana suggested a pair of Yaks for my exercise shoes. Yaks cover the sole of your shoe with plastic teeth for traction and are available at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Make sure you add a warm coat, a good quality pair of gloves and a hat. Walk at your normal pace but every so often, try a short burst of speed to increase your heart rate. Keep in mind that fitness and fun are the goals.

With Dana’s help, I have a winter exercise plan that is manageable. If I maintain that schedule, watch my salt intake, avoid sugar and drink water every minute of the day, I might be able to sneak thru the holidays without gaining weight. Already feel a lot happier knowing that I have the power to turn “Midwest, lake effect” winter into “Let’s get some fresh air” winter! •••

boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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Healthy Living

CABINET SHAKEUP What to do with Expired Medication and Cosmetics By: Margo Bell

Like many Boomers, I take prescription and over-the-counter medications. Those I take daily I purchase or get refilled when they run low. Others that I inadvertently allowed to expire (forgot about them or they didn’t work) often languish in a kitchen cabinet a safe distance from the sink and dishwasher.

One day recently I opened the cabinet door and WHACK—a bottle of tablets fell out and bonked me on the head, like that falling acorn that hits the animals in the Mutts comic strip. It was a weird wake-up call: the bottle label had an expiration date from a year ago. I then decided to take the time to go through my and my husband Jim’s medications and get rid of those that had expired.

Well, I knew you couldn’t just toss these in the trash or flush them down the toilet. I couldn’t remember if there was a disposal day at one of the local fire stations as had been done in past years. So I made a couple of phone calls and learned that I could dispose of these anytime at the South Bend Police Station. A friendly officer gave me instructions for proper disposal.

First, Jim and I took out all the containers we had in the cabinet and sorted them by what were still usable, what had expired and the unexpired ones that we knew we weren’t going to use again. The bottles of usable ones we set aside in two box lids, one for him and one for me. The expired medications we took out of the bottles and tossed into a large bowl before putting these in a clear zip-lock bag. Punching tablets out of those foil-backed packages gave our fingers a real workout. The pills and capsules made a colorful mix.

Next, we pealed off and discarded the labels, and making sure there was no residue inside, put the bottles in the recycling bin. We were told not to include creams, liquids or lotions in our station-bound disposal bag. After we completed the task—and it took over an hour—we drove to the police station and found a bin in the lobby where we dropped the bag. The drugs are in police possession and are incinerated—for example, those in Elkhart County go to the Covanta Indianapolis, Inc. facility.

Checking with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other websites such as e-How, I found other ways to properly dispose of unwanted medications. Some can be flushed down the toilet but you have to contact your pharmacy, water district or hazardous

waste facility to see what’s suitable, or if it can be done at all to avoid contamination of water supplies and damage to the environment. Other methods of disposal of items that may include those lotions and creams as well as sticky cough drops can be mixed with coffee grounds or kitty litter, put into a disposable container such as a margarine tub with lid, sealed up with duct tape and disposed in the trash (not the recycling bin, of course). Again, check with your local agencies.

Some pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS provide special envelopes for disposal prescription and OTC medications.

Check with your local pharmacist. Also, for other drug products such as ampoules, vials, IV bags, chemotherapy drugs, mercury thermometers and sharps such as needles, contact your local hospital, pharmacist or the Environmental Protection Agency website at EPA.gov/drug disposal.

For old cosmetics—and I had plenty of those such as four found tubes of sunscreen and a plethora of eye shadows that didn’t work—scoop the creams and pour out the lotions into a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Use a butter knife or nail file to loosen and break up powdered eye shadow, pressed face powder and other such items into the jar. Screw on the lid as tightly as possible and seal with duct tape and discard in the trash can. Put the empty makeup containers into a sink full of hot soapy water and let them soak until the water cools. Drain and rinse out the sink, rinse out the containers and place in the trash.

Other means of disposal: check to see if cosmetic manufacturers will accept old makeup. If you receive cosmetics that you won’t use and are still in their original unopened packages, consider donating them to a thrift store or women’s shelter.

Here’s a list of sites for disposal:

How do you determine if the cosmetic is still good? First, check for changes in color, texture and scent. Look for the expiration date on the container. If they have a shelf life of less than 30 months, these products must show a “best before” label. The expiration dates may be stamped on the bottom edges of the tubes, as in the case of sunscreen. A cosmetic calculator can be used to read batch codes on the containers, but sometimes the readouts are inaccurate. A visit to the manufacturer’s website can be helpful. When in doubt—for example, you unpack a box containing some moisturizer left over from years ago—put a small dab on an area of your arm or leg to check for a reaction after a few days. That way you could avoid my situation, the contact dermatitis I had on my face from such an experience. (It almost frightened my pharmacist!)

St. Joseph County: South Bend Police Station, 701 W. Sample Street, South Bend, 574-2359201.

Back to medications: If you’re trying out a new medication for the first time, your doctor may give you a small amount to see how you react to it before filling an entire prescription, thus eliminating being stuck with unwanted pills or capsules. Also, don’t do what I once did; have a store clerk talk me into saving money by purchasing a bottle of 1,000 low-dose aspirin. The common drug I took once a day expired long before I could use up the entire bottle of pills. The leftovers went with the other stuff to the police station. •••

La Porte County: County website, Drug Free Partnership.

Elkhart County: Elkhart County Drug Free Partnership disposal boxes at the police stations in Elkhart, Bristol, Nappanee and Goshen, as well as the Elkhart County Sheriff ’s Department.

Berrien County: Various police departments, including Niles and New Buffalo, as well as the county sheriff ’s department, and Van’s Pharmacy in St. Joseph. Contact the Berrien County website, medical waste.

boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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Hobbies

FILM flubs By: Margo and Jim Bell

Here we go again! Despite all the fact-checking, continuity go-overs and other items that supposedly are reviewed carefully, mistakes in movies somehow slip through. Take a crack at finding the miscues:

Jurassic Park Photo Courtesy: www.techinsider.io

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DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016 | boom

The site of the original Jurassic Park (1993) comes back as a new theme park in Jurassic Park 2015. A genetically modified synthetic monster, Indominus rex, escapes and spreads terror throughout the park. Spot the gaff: a) The helicopter searching for Indominus flies in the wrong direction. b) A lagoon appears and disappears throughout the movie. c) An actor speaks without moving his lips. d) Part of a sound boom is spied in the island evacuation scene.

In this sequel to The Da Vinci Code (2006), the plot of Angels and Demons (2009) contends with a missing vial of antimatter that falls into the wrong hands just before the election of a new pope. Can you pick out two errors? a) Robert Langdon points out that astronomer Edwin Hubble is from Harvard. b) Four preferiti (cardinals favored to be elected the next pope) are kidnapped. c) The car that explodes killing the assassin is different from the one he drove earlier in the scene. d) One of the scientists searches for a dial tone on her cell phone.

Based on a true story, The Monuments Men (2014) is about a platoon of art specialists sent out at the end of WWII to retrieve artwork from the Nazis and return them to their rightful owners. Which is a film flub? a) A map of Europe shows low-lying land masses protected by dikes in the Netherlands. b) A 1957 version of the lyrics to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas was used instead of the original 1944 lyrics. c) A plane flying over Paris at night reveals a scene of the illuminated Eiffel Tower. d) One of the men is seen standing near the Madonna of Bruges in a flash-forward 1977 scene. e) All of the above.

It’s December and we have to have a holiday film complete with flubs! In the comedy Christmas With the Kranks (2004), Luther and Nora Krank ditch the Christmas traditions to take a 10 day cruise. As they are packing they get a call from their daughter Blair in Peru, saying that she’s coming home to suburban Chicago to introduce her new fiancé Enriqué.

What are the two mistakes? a) A palm tree is spotted behind a snow-covered house. b) The Krank’s one sole Christmas decoration, a door wreath, appears, disappears and reappears. c) When Enriqué enters the Kranks’ home his hair is covered with snow. Soon after the snow is gone but is back in another shot during the same scene. d) One of the burly male Christmas carolers sings in a high soprano voice.

There Will Be Blood Photo Courtesy: www.independent.co.uk

In There Will Be Blood (2007), a seemingly humble early1900’s prospector, Daniel Plainview, strikes it rich with oil on his silver claim land, and he gradually turns mean with greed and hatred. What are three flubs? a) Plainview’s boots reveal a waffle sole. b) Despite several down-the-hatches, the whiskey in the saloon’s glass never goes down. (Wow, where was this place?) c) The oil gushing out of the new well changes color from one scene to the next. d) A dolly truck with a camera is briefly glimpsed in the train scene. e) A woman in church whispers to her female companion about her nylon petticoat.

The Imitation Game (2014) concerns the real-life deciphering of the Enigma Code that Germany used to send messages during WWII. Cryptologist/mathematician Alan Turing was part of the British team that cracked the code. What are the two errors? a) Teammate Joan Clarke pronounces the name of the mathematician Leonhard Euler to rhyme with “ruler.” b) Turing writes left-handed in one scene and with his right hand in another. c) The captions at the end of the movie have Alan’s last name spelled two different ways. d) A song heard on the pub jukebox wasn’t recorded until 1950. e) An IBM Selectric ball typewriter is spotted on a far table.

Shattered Glass (2003) tells the true story of Stephen Glass, a journalist who fabricated most of his stories in The New Republic, almost bringing down the Washington, D.C.-based magazine. Choose the mistake: a) Writer Amy Brand wears the same outfit throughout the movie. b) The sites where editor Charles Lane and Stephen Glass visit in Bethesda, Maryland never happened. c) The students in Glass’s journalism class actually are French Canadian and most likely didn’t understand his presentation in English. d) During an editorial meeting writer Caitlin Avery wears a light-blue sleeveless top. It switches to a dark-blue button-up shirt with sleeves in the next shot.

The Imitation Game Photo Courtesy: www.theverge.com

Shattered Glass Photo Courtesy: www.prssausf.org

Answe rs on pag e 25! boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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TRAVELER

Holiday Travel

Health and Safety

By: Jamie Lober

As we get ready for the holiday season, you want to be armed with information to keep you on your toes. “We have had a beautiful Indian summer week but that all could change so we are sensitive to winter traveling experiences,” said Sue Gulley, executive director of the American Red Cross – Northern Indiana Chapter. Whether you are going by plane, train or automobile, preparedness is the key. “If you are driving you should know what to keep in your trunk so you are not completely caught without help,” said Gulley. Before you start on your journey, try to be familiar with the weather conditions, though winter storms can come suddenly and range from moderate snow to a blizzard. “We would advise people to always carry a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit, medications, water and a warm blanket,” said Gulley.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that people carry a travel health kit.

You want to keep all prescription medications in your carry-on luggage and a note on letterhead from the prescribing physician. If you are going out of the country, you may want to get a prescription for a medicine to prevent malaria and an antibiotic to treat diarrhea.

They named supplies to prevent illness or injury like insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, sunscreen preferably SPF 15 or higher that has both UVA and UVB protection, antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol and lubricating eye drops. They also recommended first aid supplies like aloe gel for sunburns, digital thermometer, oral rehydration solution packets, moleskin for blisters, bandages, gauze, antiseptic, tweezers and scissors. You do not want to leave home without your health insurance card and claim forms as well.

Keep appropriate technology on hand. “I carry a hand crank weather radio because sometimes you are out of range of radio signals and it can help,” said Gulley. You should also make sure your cell phone is well-charged and that you have a portable charger.

Communication is important. “Make sure you let family know when you are leaving and what route you are taking,” said Gulley. Do not leave without having a full tank of fuel to keep the line from freezing. If you have a change of plans, notify people. “I always carry a small snow shovel that fits in my car and either salt or kitty litter because you can use it to get traction,” said Gulley.

“Consider your health and safety in your travel decisions.”

Be sure you are feeling your best before traveling.

Never travel if you are sick and be sure to get the flu shot to prevent the flu. To stay healthy, avoid close contact with sick people, wash your hands with soap and water, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or using your sleeve. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and lock up valuables. AARP suggests to keep some money and credit cards in your wallet or purse and additional money in a pocket or suitcase. If you are abroad, lock your passport up in the hotel safe. They also asked that people become educated about their destination including local customs and etiquette and when in doubt, dress conservatively. Know the local numbers to call for emergencies and in the hotel, keep the door locked with the security chain fastened. It is wise to stay in a room near the concierge desk or elevator.

Cover up. “Make sure you have warm coats, mittens and hats because there may be a huge pile-up where you are stuck five miles down the highway, want to keep warm and cannot keep your car going solidly,” said Gulley. While it is nice to get away in the wintertime, you want to be sure to consider your health and safety in your travel decisions.

Spring will be here before you know it. ••• boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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boom

HOME

choosing your

By: Rita Miller

Christmas Décor Theme The term “Black Friday” had an entirely different meaning for me 10 years ago, compared to what it means today. 10 years ago, the Friday after Thanksgiving was the day I decorated the house for the Christmas holidays. I started the day by hauling five artificial trees up from the basement. I assembled all the trees, untangled approximately 100 feet of lights, decorated each in a theme and found the tree skirts (handmade for each tree). I added 10 poinsettia plants, a front door wreath, stockings over the fireplace (making sure the batteries worked in each) and various Christmas themed wall hangings. I ended “Black Friday” in a black mood.

This year, I’m reconsidering the entire process. Now that the kids are grown, this might be a perfect time to make some changes to my routine. I’ve identified three decorating themes that I’m considering:

1.

I’ve always admired the style of decorator Katie Brown.

She can best be described as a nature loving decorator.

Recently, my local retailer had an entire line of Katie Brown fall décor. It consisted of pinecone themed items in browns and tans. I could expand on that theme and turn my home into a natural winter wonderland! The blogger Belle Maison (www.bellemaison23.com) has a wonderful page that is full of natural themed ideas. She starts with a palette of pine green, off white and tan. Using pinecones and light colored wood items, she creates very simple decorations for your holiday home. One of my favorite things from her site is an arrangement of green plants, potted in burlap covered containers, with a twined ribbon. She adds some bright gold for a really festive look. For people of all faiths, this color scheme can be very versatile and very relaxing!

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Photos courtesy: www.houseofturquoise.com

2.

A very popular holiday color scheme is blue, silver and white. The entire effect is one of icy crisp color. Growing up in Pennsylvania, only one house in the entire town used the blue colors for decorating. Everyone else was very traditional red and green. This year, I’ve seen decorators changing up the theme a bit and using turquoise instead of blue. Turquoise is one of those colors that can invoke brilliant memories of the beach or it can remind you of stunning peacocks at the zoo. It’s a perfect color for the holiday. At www.houseofturquoise.com, there are many pictures of ways to use this color for the holidays. They show deep hues and lighter shades, all intertwined with other colors. My favorite idea is the mantle decorated with tall silver candlestick holders, white candles, and a natural wood bowl filled with turquoise and silver balls. This theme could easily transition to the New Year and would be appropriate for any holiday celebration.

3.

Possibly my favorite theme of all remains the “Disheveled Christmas Kitchen.”

This theme is a backdrop of white flour over the brown wood floor, sticky cookie dough on the kitchen island, melted sprinkles on the white counters (that require Bon Ami to scrub the color off the counter), cups of hot cocoa with peppermint canes hanging from the cup and ‘NSync’s Christmas music playing in the background. The focal point is my family, baking cookies together and enjoying the holiday.

What is your favorite theme?

I’ve already picked mine! •••

boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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Life

Holiday

Seasonal Beers Craft Beers to Enjoy This Holiday Season

A

s fall wains and hints of the first snowfall are in the air, the cool evenings full of crisp winter air unleash a craving for heartier beers, whose colors and flavor reflect the start of the holiday season. Whether you are planning some great craft beers to enjoy by a nice roaring fire or planning ahead for great brews to give as Christmas gifts, now is a perfect time to experience a taste of the holiday season.

And winter seasonal beers are all about taste. Colors may vary from ruby reds to earthy browns to golden ambers, but these brews all share a love of a stronger malt backbone combined with spices and flavors associated with the holidays.

It’s sometimes difficult to describe winter seasonal beers in terms of a traditional style. Perhaps it’s best to just say they are seasonal offerings that have something special about them, which can mean stronger, darker, spiced or even hoppier.

Basically whatever inspires the brewer to craft a beer suitable for the winter season.

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By: Chuck Bergman

A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Ale has become a fall favorite in recent years.

Pumpkin flavoring is found in everything from candles to coffee and it has a great place in beer. Actually most craft versions of this beer are brewed with pumpkin flesh and many of the spices found in your grandma’s pumpkin pie. They are usually a medium to lighter bodied ale, boasting aromas of pumpkin, nutmeg, clove, ginger and cinnamon.

Pumpkin ales appear orange to amber in color and are often cloudy like a wheat beer. This is due to the pumpkin flesh proteins still present in the brew. Pumpkin Ales are typically mild, with little to no bitterness, a malty backbone, with the spices adding a subtle taste at the end.

Just like holiday decorations, these specialty brews are popping up earlier each year. They often go on sale in October, but can be found through November and into the Christmas season. This is a great style to enjoy after a holiday feast when you sit back to watch the college bowl games.

Winter Wonderland

Christmas beers, often called winter ales, usually arrive in late November and early December. American Christmas beers are often an amber or darker-colored malt-focused beer. Spices that are associated with Christmas cookies and mulled cider are common, including cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, clove, orange peel and others. Additional fermentables such as molasses, honey, dark candi sugar and treacle are often used to add another flavor dimension.

Many examples have a flavor similar to gingerbread cookies. Spices should be noticeable but not overpowering. Many local craft brewers develop a special ale just for the holiday season. The larger regional and national breweries such as Sam Adams, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada offer seasonal multi-packs that combine different holiday styles in a 12-pack of beer.

The English winter warmers tend to be very malty with a full body and sweet finish. Flavors typical of English Christmas puddings are common, with hints of figs, molasses, toffee, caramel, raisins, prunes and dried fruit. They do not come across as roasted, but feature dark caramel and dark fruit flavors. As the name implies, a winter warmer should have some alcohol warmth. Beers of this style are designed to sip, sitting by the fire on a cool evening.

Belgian ales that have been aged will develop caramel, fig and currant notes. This winter beer style has a special holiday theme that makes them both rare and enjoyable.

Holiday beers are really less of a style and more of a tradition. Each year as the season grows colder and the nights longer, the beers grow stronger and spicier. So as the leaves have finished falling and Thanksgiving is a distant memory, take some time to enjoy some beers that represent the season. Put away your standard favorite beers (at least temporarily) and experience a taste of the holiday season. CHEERS! •••

MAKE A DIFFERENCE MAKE A LIVING

Bourbon-barrel aged dark beers are also popular during the holiday season. These are usually porters or stouts that after fermentation, have been stored for 6-12 months in a bourbon barrel. This aging adds a wonderful combination of bourbon notes combined with vanilla, oak and dark fruits such as cherry or plum.

Belgian winter beers boast a generous selection of spices, ranging from licorice root, star anise, and orange peel to coriander and cumin. Many boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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recipe

Pecan Tarts Time: About 15 minutes prep, 35 minutes baking Makes: 24-30 tarts

By: Katie & Theresa Slott

Ingredients: For the tart: • 12 T. unsalted butter, softened (1 ½ sticks) • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened • 1 ½ c. flour • 1 ½ T. sugar For the filling: • 2 eggs, beaten • 1 ½ c. packed brown sugar • 2 T. unsalted butter, melted • 1 c. pecans, finely chopped

Steps:

To make the cake: Mix all tart ingredients in an electric mixer fitted with a paddle. Roll into one inch balls. Press into a tart pan (mini muffin pan). Press them down with a tart tamper or the back of a spoon dipped in flour to prevent sticking.

To make the filling: Mix all filling ingredients in a small bowl. Spoon one scant teaspoon into each shell.

Bake at 350F for 20 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 250F and bake for another 15 minutes. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Katie and Theresa Slott are sisters-in-laws who write the food blog, Cooking for the Fam, where they share lots of tips, family-favorite recipes and meal plans. For more recipes like this one, or to see step-by-step photos of this recipe, check out their website, www.cookingforthefam.com.

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Tips: •

Be careful not to overfill the tarts as the filling will puff up slightly in the oven.

•

These freeze very well. Make a big batch and set some aside to freeze for holiday guests!

boom

Hobbies

FILM flubs

By: Margo and Jim Bell

ANSWERS: Jurassic c): Dinosaur wrangler Owen Grady gets into a discussion with park manager Claire Dearing; we hear the words but Grady’s mouth doesn’t move.

Angels and Demons a): Hubble earned degrees from the University of Chicago and Oxford University, and worked at two California observatories, not Harvard; and d): cell phones don’t have dial tones.

The Monuments Men Photo Courtesy: www.nyblueprint.com

The Monuments Men e): In a) these land masses weren’t drained until 1968; b): because the 1944 lyrics were deemed too depressing for homesick, war-weary men, the 1957 lyrics were substituted; c): the Eiffel Tower lighting came on in 1985; d): the statue has been protected by bullet-proof glass and a 15-foot barrier since 1972 that would have kept the man at a distance.

Kranks: b) and c): “B” is the most glaring of the movie’s mistakes.

Blood: a): The waffle sole wasn’t developed until the 1970s; d): actually, it’s the dolly track that’s seen just before the camera pans to the right; and e): not only was “nylon” not mentioned in the movie, the synthetic material wasn’t invented until 1935.

Imitation: a): Despite how it looks, “Euler” is pronounced “oiler,” c): At the end of the movie, one caption describing Alan’s post-war fate has it spelled “Touring,” then “Turing” in the next caption.

Shattered: d):

The heated “comma-hunt” session is so engrossing that we missed this error.

SOURCES: IMDb; Wikipedia; MovieMistakes; more.

Angels and Demons ccmoviereviews.com

NEXT MONTH: Location, location, location!

boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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life

rethinking

Traditions By: Pam Gunterman

Traditions. We all have them and the very mention of the word conjures pictures and floods

our mind with memories. Webster’s tells us that, among other things, traditions are the handing down of information, beliefs and customs. And in the song Tradition, from Fiddler on the Roof, Tevya tells us that we all have our part in keeping them (the papas, the mamas, the son, the daughters) as that is what keeps the order of life. Many of us long to preserve the Norman Rockwellesque holidays of our youth, but the truth is that may be out of our control.

As parents, we sometimes forget that when a child grows up and marries they begin a new life and a new family. We assume that all our family traditions will stay intact, forgetting that two families have come together to form the new one, not just ours! I routinely give, as part of my gift to a newly married couple, a holiday ornament with a message similar to: Traditions shape our lives in every area.

There are traditions in the world, the workplace and of course our families. When we marry, we bring together the traditions of our lives and our families and begin to shape a new and wonderful set of traditions of our own.

This gift is a symbol of that new beginning as it will be one of the first of the many things and ideas you collect on the journey to the traditions of your new life. We are often left to wonder whose traditions will win out as the couple shapes their new life.

The trick is to allow the couple to blaze a new trail and create traditions that involve both of their families and bring together pieces of the traditions that they each grew up with. The ultimate goal should be to find that happy medium where all feel included in the celebrations, all traditions are acknowledged in some way and all are invited.

As parents, we all need to accept that our child no longer belongs to just our family, but is now a part of both their spouse’s family and the new emerging family unit. This scenario is further complicated when grandchildren enter the picture. While the new couple has a goal of balance, the parents’ goal should be flexibility.

In my opinion, it doesn’t matter whether you kick off your holiday celebration with cutting down your tree the day after Thanksgiving, attend midnight mass as a family or start your Charismas morning with brunch at grandma’s house. The most important thing is that you are there together sharing the experience in harmony rather than jockeying for position.

Traditions, we all have them and when we are open to new things we can all enjoy what they have been, are, and can ultimately become as our children carry them forward.

Happy Holidays! • • •

boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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Life

By: Cindy Sawyer

Meaningful

Gifts

To Give To Your Grandchildren A grandparent gifted with the ability to select the perfect present for their grandkids every year is a rare treasure. I am not one of those grandparents.

Time flies so fast that it is almost impossible to keep up with kids and their interests. One month they cannot stop talking about dinosaurs and Legos. The next month, its Monster High dolls and soccer. Then there is the world of digital games and gadgets battling for a first-place setting around the Christmas tree, and technology changes faster than I change socks. So instead of buying a gift that my grandkids may not be interested by the time the big day arrives, I decided to do some research into timeless gifts with deeper meaning.

Personal Birth Note in String Art

I have a granddaughter from Ghana with an incredible story of how she came to be a part of our family. I ran across a string art project that beautifully displays the city and state of an event— such as your grandchild’s place of birth (for my granddaughter I used the country and village). The string is drawn from the edges of the state to the heart that highlights the city.

I am going to write a note about how my granddaughter’s journey—from her mother, to the orphanage, to one American family, then to ours— brought her into our lives. A blessing beyond what we hoped. I want her to realize that despite the hardships she dealt with in hear early years, there was a plan for her and that she is loved beyond comprehension. I will Mod Podge this note to the back of the plaque.

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You could do this for any of your grandkids, regardless where they are born. Your note could simply be highlights from the day they were born, or your thoughts about them coming or what it was like to meet them for the first time. For more details on how to make these, google “state string art” or visit the video at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=jKuWT94yKUY.

Make Them Their Own Story

There are many online services—through Shutterfly, Smilebox and even your favorite pharmacy—that offer you the opportunity to create your own photo albums. You can use this idea in many ways.

Use a collection of photos you took from your grandchild’s sporting events, or of those special moments at the zoo, apple picking and making salt dough. Put them into a book of memories and write captions that highlight special moments of laughter or discovery. Then be sure to order two copies, because you will want to keep one as well.

Capture a Moment in an Ornament

Celebrate a moment and set up memories for future holidays by starting an ornament collection for your grandkids. Not only will they begin anticipating the special ornament you’ve chosen for them each year, but they will have a set of beautiful memories to take with them when they leave home to help launch their own Christmas decorating traditions.

There is no limit to what kind of ornaments you might choose. Hallmark is always starting a new series, which could be a good place to start. Another idea is to buy an ornament that highlights an achievement or memory during that particular year. Maybe a fish ornament that represents a first fishing trip, a ballerina for that special ballet recital or a car ornament to commemorate their first driver’s license. For an endless supply of ideas and personalization, take a trip to Bronners Christmas Store, open year-‘round, in Frankenmuth, Mich.

Wrap Up a Personal Reading Experience

Think of what books you shared with your kids growing up. Keep in mind the reading level. A book gifted before its appropriate reading level will not be appreciated nearly as much as if you wait for your grandchild to reach the appropriate age.

Take your gift a step further and record yourself reading the book. Make sure you change voices with characters, add some sound effects, sprinkle in some drama and humor where appropriate. Beginner readers love flipping through pages while listening to the recorded story. And what could be more heartwarming than to hear Grandpa’s voice and know he took the time to create this personal gift. You could even record a special note to your grandchild before or after the reading of the book.

Make Gifts Together

Add some Christmas giving excitement by gathering the grandkids and make gifts for mom and dad and maybe other family members or friends. The Internet—especially Pinterest—is full of ideas for kids of all ages.

From layering soup mixes in a jar to making ornaments with finger or hand prints, your grandkid will be proud to give something homemade.

Exclusive Christmas Party

Start a grandkids-only tradition. Host a holiday slumber party one night close to Christmas. Buy (or make) everyone something Christmas-y to sleep in— pajamas, slippers, pillow cases. Play games like charades that revolve around holiday songs or movies. Eat red and green Kool-

Aid popcorn. Have a memorable breakfast of biscuits with cocoa syrup or Santa Claus pancakes. Make snowmen out of string cheese. Create a hot cocoa bar with fun alternative “stir-ins” like peppermint sticks, mini marshmallows, whip cream and sprinkles. Watch a favorite holiday movie.

And take pictures. Everyone will want to reminisce as years pass.

Stocking Tradition

Make or buy personalized stockings for each grandkid. My parents have a socking they keep at their house for each child and the stuff it full every year. My kids are in their 20s and they still look forward to the mix of silly and meaningful surprises he find in their stocking.

A handmade and/or personalized stocking is a great idea for kids who live far away. Every year when they hang up their stocking, they will be reminded of Grandma and Grandpa.

Christmas Baking

Host a cookie workshop or candy-making day. Decorate cut-out cookies, mini gingerbread houses, make cookie wreaths, buckeyes, truffles or chocolate- covered pretzel rods. Seal them up well in large containers and send a bunch home with the grandkids.

Make Christmas for the Birds

Invite the grandkids to make edible ornaments for the critters outside. Make Cheerio garland, suet ornaments with molds or cookie cutters, string dried fruit and coat pine cones with peanut butter and bird seed.

Tie string or ribbon to them for hanging.

Choose a tree or bush to decorate in your yard, preferably by a window, and give them full decorating privileges. Make sure they have extra ornaments to adorn a tree in their own yard.

Whatever you decide, try and keep it simple.

You want to enjoy the idea of the gift as much as they enjoy receiving it. You will find that meaningful gift giving helps you to create deeper bonds with your grandkids. Be sure to capture these moments in pictures for keepsake and possibly to use in future Christmas gift ideas. You will both cherish the memories. ••• boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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book review

Yes, My Accent Is Real:

And Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You

By Kunal Nayyar Reviewed By: Karen Palmer, Reference Librarian Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library

Photo Courtesy: Amazon.com

editor Picks

For most of us, we know Kunal Nayyar as the painfully shy Rajesh Koothrappali on The Big Bang Theory on TBS. If you, like his wife, have never seen or heard of the sitcom, you will still enjoy this memoir, although Nayyar will be the first to say that he is too young to write a memoir. Instead, he sees this work as “a collection of stories from my life.” Kunal Nayyar has written this in such a conversational tone that it makes you feel like you are sitting across from him at a coffee shop enjoying a nice chat with a friend.

From the very first chapter of the book, you can feel the smile form on your face when you read about his obsession with Winnie Cooper, actress Danica McKellar, from The Wonder Years. And of course, this brings back memories for almost all of us because who didn’t tune in for this great coming-of-age show? If you are a fan of The Big Bang Theory, you know that he actually gets to kiss Danica when she is a guest star of the show.

Mrs. Engels

By Gavin McCrea (www.goodreads.com)

The Book of Speculation

Nayyar also explains some Indian holiday traditions. One being Rakhi, an Indian tradition that is meant to strengthen the bond between brothers and sisters. Of course, the catch is any girl that thinks of you “as a brother” will want to tie a Rakhi (a little decorated thread) around your wrist! Nayyar tells us of a time when, a few days before the holiday, he would hide from all the girls he liked as “more than a sister” so they wouldn’t be able to tie a Rakhi around his wrist.

In one chapter entitled “Dinners with Dad,” Nayyar shares the advice his father has given him throughout the years. Here are a few of my favorites: “There are two sides to every story,” “Just show up for them,” “Stand up when it counts” and “Treat a king and a beggar the same.” Nayyar shares a short story for most of these tidbits to show how they affected his life.

By Erika Swyler (www.zenoagency.com)

Eight Hundred Grapes

By Laura Dave (www.amazon.com)

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Nayyar talks of his college years at the University of Portland and some of the struggles that he faced from the culture shock and the difficulties of “fitting in.”

His stories are often embarrassing, heartfelt and relatable and almost everyone who reads this book will find one or two that reminds them of their own past.

Nayyar describes the incredible opportunity of a lifetime when he auditioned for the role of Rajesh Koothrappali and his marriage to the former Miss India – the chapter he refers to as “My Big Fat Indian Wedding.”

Nayyar’s parents’ unconditional support is heartwarming and you get a little teary eyed when you read that he knows his parents were proud of him before landing the role of a lifetime not because he landed the role of a lifetime. •••

boom

PETS

The Elkhart Humane Society Needs Your Help Loving animals are in need of families!

FRENCHY: Hello, I am one of the most unique dogs you will ever meet. My fur is soft and short and my eyes will melt your heart. I am a year old female mix of an Australian Shepherd and Terrier so I am a true designer dog. I am a sweet leaner that loves attention from people.

MARJORIE: Meow and purr. I am a most unique cat. Look at my beautiful markings. My face is half golden and half black. I am threeyears-old and totally cool. I'd like to chill out on someone's lap. Come meet me and I might choose you to be that special person.

Q-TIP: I am a very handsome eightmonth-old New Zealand rabbit. I am looking for a home and would love some toys and barley treats. Did you know rabbits love to jump, run and play? I think that sounds like a lot of fun. Come and visit me and see if we are a match.

boom | DECEMBER 2015 & JANUARY 2016

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