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IN THEATERS:
THE WOMAN IN BLACK: London lawyer Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) ventures to a remote community where children are kept indoors out of fear of a supernatural menace. As Arthur investigates the town's secrets, the ghastly Woman in Black appears to seek revenge for her son's death. Also starring Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer, Shaun Dooley, David Burke and Liz White.YYYY
SAFE HOUSE: When men bent on eliminating dangerous criminal Tobin Frost attack the safe house where the CIA has squirreled him away, young operative Matt Weston must find a way to get Frost out alive and relocate him to another, securer location. Starring Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds and Vera Farmiga.YYY½
THE VOW: Rachel McAdams stars in this romantic drama about a newlywed woman who slips into a coma after a car accident and awakens with amnesia. Her devoted husband (Channing Tatum) must help her recover—and he also needs to win her back. Also starring Sam Neill, Scott Speedman and Jessica Lange.YYYY
ON VIDEO:
FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN: In the wake of an unexpected family tragedy, novelist Michael Taylor (Ryan Reynolds) is forced to confront his fractured relationship with his father (Willem Dafoe) while dealing with painful memories of his mother (Julia Roberts), a woman who moved mountains to protect him. Emily Watson, Hayden Panettiere, Ioan Gruffudd and Carrie-Anne Moss also star in this semiautobiographical tale of rage and redemption from writer-director Dennis Lee. Rated R YYY
THE DOUBLE: Retired CIA agent Paul Shepherdson joins young FBI agent Ben Geary to track down a Russian assassin who has seemingly returned after the Cold War. Old conspiracies quickly resurface, embroiling the pair in deeper and deeper peril. Starring Richard Gere, Topher Grace and Martin Sheen. Rated PG-13 YYY
DREAM HOUSE: Daniel Craig plays Will Atenton, a successful businessman who forsakes New York City for the rural pleasures of New England, only to discover that the tranquil abode he's moved into was the scene of an as-yet-unsolved multiple homicide. Drawn reluctantly into the mystery surrounding the tragic events, Will and his wife (Rachel Weisz) soon begin finding plenty of reasons to worry about their own safety in this psychological thriller. Rated PG-13 YYY
This month's tour - Next Time You're in Chicago...
Most who travel at one time or another end up in Chicago. It may be only to change planes or trains or it may be to actually spend some quality time in this exciting metropolis. Probably not the best place for RVing, but it’s easy to find a place to camp somewhere nearby and catch one of the many trains, buses or Ls that run frequently into the city. Camping to the east is not advised though, unless your RV is a yacht.
The beaches are to the east and all the other water activities of Lake Michigan, the westernmost of the Great Lakes. Beach volleyball is a great summer sport and it occurs among snack bars, shops, and upper scale eateries and drinkeries. You can enjoy your favorites while watching the diverse activities of the lake.
But it’s not just the water of the lake, the Chicago River and manmade canals dot the city offering a somewhat unique way to tour. As you go from neighborhood to neighborhood you will discover how global Chicago is. You can have breakfast in France, lunch in Greece and dinner in Italy, or any other combination, as there are pockets of populations from various parts of the world everywhere. You may want to visit St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, or buy a bowl of borscht for a taste of eastern Europe, or sample authentic fish and chips for a remembrance of Great Britain. Of course Italy is well represented with many famous Italian eateries.
For the baseball fan, both the White Sox and the Cubs call Chicago their home and their rivalry permeates the air. For the student of history, consider the Pullman Historic District, created by George Pullman, in the late 1800s. It was then an ultra modern factory town for those producing his famous railroad cars.
And in the late twentieth century gaming came to the Chicago area and it continues to grow in importance. Today you can find excitement at seven casinos within an easy drive or ride. For more about the offerings go to www.chicagocasinoguide.com to find details of the Empress and Harrahs in Joliet, Illinois; and in nearby Indiana, the Horseshoe in Hammond; Resorts East in East Chicago; and the Majestic Star and Majestic Star II in Gary, Indiana.
All of the casinos offer great food choices as does the city itself in such restaurants as Pettorino’s on Dearborn, with a glimpse of the 1940s as you dine perhaps before attending one of the many top entertainment venues right in the heart of the city. With so much to choose from you’ll need some expert guidance. It’s easy to come by—just contact the folks at (312) 567-8500 or visit their site at www.choosechicago.com. They’ll help you customize a visit just for you.
The importance of winning
Our good friend, Shannon, brought a new player to the Saturday night game. This was an elderly woman named Esther who walked with the aid of a fast, wheeled, pointed walker. Much fuss was made over making sure Esther had the right game cards. Shannon assured the workers she would help, but still they watched over her fussily. I even caught myself looking to make sure she was on the right game.
Once she was on—I could tell by the way Shannon behaved, alternately watching Esther’s cards and glancing at the monitor, paying little attention to her own cards. I had to tell Shannon she had a Bingo and even then I thought she called her win rather reluctantly. It became apparent that Esther wanted to win rather badly and resented anyone around her winning. Shannon wanted to give the win to Esther, but there was no way she could do that, nor would Esther have let her do so. Esther wanted to win on her own with no help from anyone, thank you.
The games wound on with Kate and Shannon splitting a win, which drew a furious look from our newcomer. At intermission I walked over to Esther and said, “Well, are you having a good time?”
“No, I am not,” came the instant reply. “The only time Bingo is fun is when you win.”
“I don’t agree,” I said. “Bingo is great for the companionship and almost winning and the chase of the game.”
“Humph,” she said. “Bingo is about winning, nothing else.”
During the second half, I was desperate for her to win a game—not because she needed the money or the self-esteem, but because she seemed so much to need a good time. That was one time I would have rigged a game if I could, just to make her life better.
Kate had brought cookies and tried to share them. Esther shook her head firmly. I offered a drink out of my thermos of lemonade. Esther looked away. Shannon just shrugged and worked harder at the cards.
As we played the special game of the arrow in any corner, Esther became frustrated with the confusing pattern. She missed a Bingo when the next number was called and pounded the table in frustration. We all felt guilty.
By the time of the final blackout, Kate and I were not even looking in Esther’s direction. We worked busily on our own cards. I won the on-the-way game and was very excited. Shannon kept checking the cards against the lighted game board to make double and triple sure she hadn’t missed a number. Then finally, on the sixty-first number, Esther won. She did not erupt into delight, but sat back with a satisfied smile on her face. “Now that’s more like it,” she said. “I told you winning is what it is about.”
We waited to walk out with them after Esther collected her winnings and Kate observed, “It’s such a beautiful night, I feel like giving thanks for just being able to enjoy it.”
“And for winning,” added Esther.
?The world’s deadliest animal is the lowly mosquito. Thanks to the diseases it spreads, it kills more humans than any other animal on the planet.
…If you put your rubber bands in the refrigerator, they’ll last longer.
…It’s not just the tiger’s fur that has stripes; its skin is striped, too.
…In the winter of 1932, Niagara Falls froze solid.
…When cartoon icon Bugs Bunny first appeared, in 1935, he was called “Happy Rabbit.”
…If you go bankrupt, your creditors are forbidden from seizing your wedding ring to pay debts.
© King Features
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Cupid strikes at Bingo
During the years that I have been writing this column I've gotten some great e-mails from Bingo players who found someone very special at their favorite Bingo hall. During this St. Valentine's month, I thought we might look back at some of the more interesting e-mails I've gotten from people who have some very found memories of Bingo.
My favorite was from the young college student who mentioned that he was ashamed to go to Bingo in his city, for fear that he'd be laughed at because he was playing an "old person's sport." He would regularly drive to a city about an hour away to play Bingo there. It was on one of those trips that he met a lovely young lady, whom he eventually married.
The magic in the story was that the girl was a fellow college student who ALSO was going to the distant city to play Bingo. Both got more than they bargained for. And, as far as I know, they are still married.
You would be surprised at the number of people who met their mate at a Bingo session. Many an older Bingo player, who lost their husband or wife over the years, often finds companionship at the local Bingo hall.
If you have had a similar experience or know of a "Bingo couple," let me know by dropping an e-mail to: bobonbingo@earthlink.net.
Last month I mentioned that it would be nice of Bingo halls, or at least groups of Bingo players, if they designated a night of Bingo devoted to charity. One of my regular readers, Mr. Pups, wrote to remind me that there are already many Bingo halls that are run by charities and many in need already benefit from the sessions.
I was first made aware of this in a city where I spent five years, Merced, California. It's in California's central San Joaquin Valley. The local Elks Lodge there was holding weekly sessions. Elks Bingo was a tradition there. Several of the club's charities, including those helping students, benefitted from the games.
By the way, in many states, there are extremely stringent rules relating to "charity" Bingo. The rules require not only an intense amount of bookkeeping, but also a total accounting of the costs of the games, the overhead and the amount going to charity. So, you know you ARE doing the right thing by playing there.
Next time around: A happy Bingo birthday.
The memory pill
I heard on the news today that scientists have developed a new memory pill that looks very promising. They tested some tiny white mice who learned to do a task one day and after taking the pill remembered how to do it the very next day. I, personally think there is nothing new here. Every once in a while a mouse gets into my house and it never forgets how to get out when I chase it with a broom while screaming my head off. But let’s just presume the scientists are on to something.
Where were they when I tried for years to get my kids to wipe their feet when coming in from the snow or rain? I taught them that everything has a place. They couldn’t remember the places. To this day they don’t remember all the summer trips to Disney World, Cedar Point, Sea World, Gatlinburg and winter weekends in fancy motels so they could swim. Strangely, they remember every swat on the seat they ever got.
I have mixed feelings about the benefit to the aged. The other day I met a woman in K-Mart who gushed all over me with warmth and admiration. I didn’t have the slightest idea who she was. She said, “You don’t remember me, do you? Maybe if I take off my glasses.” Finally she explained. “You gave a talk at our church. I was the first one on the left in the third row.” The last “talk” I gave in a church was 30 years ago.
There are many things in my life that I have worked hard to forget. I don’t want to remember anyone who ever hurt my feelings, embarrassed me, or treated me unjustly. I don’t want to remember all the mistakes I made. There is nothing I can do about them now. Old age has enough problems without carrying around all the baggage of the past.
I couldn’t possibly forget, with or without the pill, all those wonderful people who gave me a boost along the way. I can never forget the wonderful husband who made me so happy, or the friends who cheered me on every step of the way.
It would be kind of nice, though, if I could remember where I put the car keys when I got home from Bingo last night.
Email Beverly at www.bgarges@aol.com.
February 29th is for Leaplings
Most people believe that there are 365 days in a year. Actually, the earth turns roughly 365 and a quarter times on its axis each year on its annual trek around the sun. In order for our calendars to catch up and be correct, every four years an extra day, February 29th, is added to the month of February. This is called a leap year and that year has a total of 366 days, not 365. Anyone born on February 29th is called a leapling.
Whoa, this means that 2012 is a leap year and we have an extra day to use wisely or waste; whatever suits our fancy. I can think of so many ways to waste my days, the list is endless. Before I retired, I thought, “Oh my, after teaching school for 35 years how am I going to fill up my time?” I needn’t have worried as I found out soon enough. My calendar fills up so quickly I need an extra day added to every month, not just every four years in February.
Gals, if you’re not married, this is the month to step up to the plate, or get down on one knee if you so desire, and propose marriage to the object of your affection. In today’s world, this probably happens all the time anyway, but the tradition originated during the time of St. Patrick in 5th century Ireland, and was supposed to happen only during the month of February in leap years. Be warned though. There is a Greek superstition that claims couples have bad luck if they actually marry during a leap year. Therefore, if your intended says yes, it might be a good idea to postpone the ceremony until next year. In Scotland there used to be a law that forbade a man to refuse a proposal made to him on Leap Year’s Day, February 29th. If he did, there was a hefty fine. In the same country, you were also considered unlucky to be born on Leap Year’s Day itself. I can see where that originated if you were a man unlucky enough to be offered a proposal on your birthday by a lady in whom you had no interest; and then had to pay a large fine for just saying no. In old England February 29th was ignored and had no legal status. Any crimes committed on that day were not considered crimes at all. Hm-m-m. I wonder how that worked out for bank robbers who got away with large sums of money.
So, how are you going to spend your extra day this year? I plan to play bingo and spend time in my favorite casinos. I plan to fritter the day away and consider it a bonus at my age. Oh yeah, that’s right. Every day is a bonus when you’re my age, but I try not to think about it. I might even have an Irish coffee or two in honor of St. Patrick and the women who have gathered their courage over the years to ask on February 29th the men of their dreams to marry them. Here’s to them, and also to the men who in reply said yes. Until next month, may Lady Luck blow you kisses as you dance out the door with dollars. Win big.
Budgeting Bingo Keeping accurate records
Hi Guy,
Do you have an idea of how much is OK to spend on Bingo or cards or whatever and how much is too much?
I spend maybe $200 a month, not counting any winnings, which my wife says is too much and constantly upsets her. Our retirement income is over $60,000 a year, so $200 a month for a year is less than 5 percent of that, which I don’t think is extravagant. And Bingo and cards are something I enjoy doing. It seems to me that people spend more than that on hobbies.
I have the $200 budget and I stick to it. I also have my winnings—which I also will use. Does this sound bad to you? —Budget Conscious in California
Hi Budget Conscious,
I am not going to share an opinion on how much is “OK” versus “Too Much” when it comes to gaming and wagering. It is, for the most part, subjective—as long as it is not causing harm to the player or his or her family.
It’s good that you did the math and to know fairly closely the percentage of your income you are using for Bingo and other gaming. You are pretty vague, however, when you discuss the winnings that you say you “also will use.”
This is a gray area if you do not keep close track of exactly how much you have won as well. If you don’t, you may “use” the $500 you won in December as an excuse for additional gambling and end up spending two or three times as much in the belief that you are still only spending that original $500.
If you keep tabs on both of those numbers—budget and winnings—and show your wife that you are doing so and exactly what those figures are, I think it will go a long way in reassuring her that you are not gambling away your retirement income…and her’s. —Guy
Hi Guy,
I am running into a problem with the Bingo monitors at Bingo. They are getting harder for me to see. If I get a seat closer it helps, but lots of times those seats are taken by the time I get to Bingo.
I rely on the monitors to help keep up with the pace of the game and so I can play multiple packs. Any advice? —Bill R., Florida
Hi Bill,
There are a number of things you should consider.
First, get your butt to Bingo earlier so that you get a seat close to a monitor. Why do you think all the seats are taken? Because they all get there before you!
Next, you may have to face the reality that it’s time for you to play less packs. If you need to rely more on the caller and less on the monitor, having less cards to play will help even out the pace of the games.
Finally, have you considered electronic Bingo? Lots of folks who want to play multiple packs but don’t have the speed to keep up with the caller and worry they are making mistakes turn to electronic Bingo as a backup. That way you can play one or two paper packs and let your Bingo handheld keep track of the rest. —Guy
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