The original blog post and comments can be found on Patch at the above link.  You can also enlarge the uploaded document by clicking on Fullscreen.

October is American Cheese Month, which means it celebrates all cheese artisans in America.  So how could I possibly honor it better than to write a really ‘cheesy’ blog. 

Those of you who know me or have visited my website in the past may remember me mentioning “The Cheese Cave” as a place that I’ve been to.  If you don’t live in New Jersey, you might be having visions of me walking through the woods, towards the Appalachian Mountains, fending off bears, and then entering a hidden cave where villagers are aging their cheeses.  While that sounds adventurous, it’s not exactly what I do. (Especially not in designer heels!)

The Cheese Cave is a hidden gem in Red Bank, NJ along the main drag of Monmouth Street.  As you walk towards The Cheese Cave, you won’t pass through woods, but you will pass by shop, after gallery, after restaurant, in a busy-but-not-too-busy downtown, eclectic, and thriving business district.  Once upon a time, only locals knew about this delicious destination, but it is rapidly growing in its popularity and reputation since its opening in 2011.  For gourmet cheeses that you simply can’t find anywhere else, come here.  And if you can find them elsewhere, you’d have to go to many different cheese shops, countries, and purveyors to acquire them. 

The Cheese Cave is like your one-stop shopping paradise for all things cheese, and carefully selected accompaniments. 

There are varieties of goat, cow, and sheep’s milk cheeses, chutneys, crackers, preserves, charcuterie, sweets,  and "sandwicheeses".  (That last word is not a typo.  The emphasis is on cheese in that coined phrase, invented by The Cheese Cave owner Stephen Catania.)

Many cheeses are aged in caves.  Good cheese usually doesn't come mass-produced off of a conveyor belt.  That is why the name "The Cheese Cave" is so fitting for this Red Bank, NJ foodie haven.

You can come into The Cheese Cave and take home some treasures, or stop in for a quick cheese fix;  and they serve up cheese platters, salads, and sandwiches to stay or to go.  Oh, and it’s BYOB, so bring your favorite wine or beer, and owner Stephen Catania will help you pair it with the perfect cheese.

That’s right, any time of day, walk right in and bring your beverage of choice; and sit down with savory cheeses, maybe a few baguette slices, or a menu selection, and enjoy it with the perfect pairing of wine or beer.

It may be a European concept, but you can’t go wrong with bread, cheese, and a good bottle of wine (or beer).

The taste experience you will enjoy is anything but rudimentary.

“I’m a hospitality professional.  My roots are in the kitchen.  I went to culinary school and was a chef.  It’s people and hospitality that I love.  It was a natural progression,” states Catania. 

This could be why during the Red Bank Food & Wine Walk this past summer, the line was out the door to sample his grilled cheddar and complementary chutney, freshly made sandwiches; and more recently he’s explored the realms of matching fruit and cheese in signature “cheese pops” that made an appearance at The Reader’s Choice Awards in Monmouth County.  This is not your basic cheese and cracker affair.

Catania elaborates, “It all starts with understanding the flavors and giving people an experience they might otherwise not try.  You eat with all of your senses.  There needs to be a visual appeal and a taste appeal.  I won’t say cheese makes a lot of noise – but maybe after someone tries it there will be lots of ‘oooohs!’ and ‘aaahs!’”

I have murmured a lot of “Mmmms” myself, every time I’ve visited The Cheese Cave.

Recently, The Cheese Cave was a winner of the Best Cheese Shop in Monmouth County in the Annual Best of Monmouth Health and Life Magazine Readers Poll, and The Lady in Red got to attend the Readers’ Choice Awards as a VIP as a guest of The Cheese Cave. What a delicious night!

I’ve also attended “Cheese School” at The Cheese Cave, where Catania explains which wines pair best with certain cheeses.  It’s a social event of sampling, where you create cheese and wine combinations you didn’t even know could be so good, while you share your varietals and vintages tableside with your neighbors.  There will be one more Sunday School at The Cheese Cave event (October  28, $20 per person, 5:30- 7pm) that you can sign up for, where you can try an assortment of cheeses and exotic accompaniments, while pairing them with wines you bring.  Catania will teach you how to pair wines with each cheese he selects.  October is American Cheese Month so the focus will be on different styles of cheese produced by American artisans.

I’m not a Cheese Cave virgin, so I already have my tried and true favorites.  I love the Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, and I never leave the shop without Fromage de Meaux. (It has a slight broccoli aftertaste, as well as buttery and mushroom overtones which I find very appealing.)  When I asked Catania if he had to select just one cheese to eat, and only one, which would he choose - he responded:

“I can’t do it.  I just can’t do it.  It’s like trying to pick a favorite child – can’t do it.  Sometimes I’m in the mood for something mild and creamy; sometimes I want a grana, like a Parmesan.  There’s a seasonal cheese I like right now – Rogue River Blue by Rogue Creamery.  It’s a seasonal blue cheese.  It’s only made at certain times of the year.  The producer will only make it between the fall and winter solstice because that’s when the cows milk is the creamiest. They wrap it in syrah grape leaves soaked in local bandy.  It has a plethora of flavors.  It’s salty and sweet.  It’s won best in show at the ACS for 2 of the last 5 years.”

I tried a sample, and this is not your supermarket blue!  It’s a strong cheese that would definitely complete a meal with a glass of port on the side.  (By the way, did you know that The Cheese Cave keeps its blue cheeses separate from the others because of the different molds used?  This, is how cheese is done.)

Ok, so let’s say you go buy some cheese at The Cheese Cave to enjoy at home – or maybe you order it online.  How in the world should you store it?  We all don’t have climate controlled facilities and proper cheese paper to wrap the leftovers in.  Catania shared some tips.

“The best place to store your cheese is in your stomach,” joked Catania. “When you have a local cheese shop like The Cheese Cave, it’s best to buy it as you need it.  The enemies of cheese are cold temperature and dry air.  This is why Europeans don’t refrigerate cheeses.  U.S. laws require retailers to refrigerate cheeses.  Keep any remaining cheese in the vegetable bin.  I recommend buying two-ply cheese paper [to wrap it in].” 

If you don’t have two-ply cheese paper, just rewrap it in the original wrappings The Cheese Cave used upon your purchase, like I do.  (The Cheese Cave does sell two-ply cheese paper, too.)

Cheese won’t last forever once you get it home, though. Did you know cheese is alive!?  It is!

“Different cheeses have different life.  A young, fresh, rindless cheese like goat cheese or mascarpone has a much shorter life than a Parmesan or aged Gouda.  We aim to help people understand that the cheese we have is ready to enjoy now.  If your cheese grows some mold on it, just scrape it off and the remaining cheese is edible. Cheese is alive and constantly changing.”

I'll let you in on a little secret for the most fun foodie Friday night you can have.  Pick up a bottle of wine or two.  (I recommend two - a white and a red to complement the span of cheese flavors that you will encounter.)  Then, head over to The Cheese Cave at 5 o'clock on a Friday for "$5 Friday".  For just $5, you can indulge in creamy cheeses and good company, almost making a meal of it.  Then for dessert, sneak out to The Cupcake Magician a few doors down, and sample the most amazing cupcakes on this side of the Eastern seaboard.  (I highly recommend their red velvet cupcakes, by the way.)  It's delicious dinner and dessert, for just a few dollars.  I speak from personal (repeated) experience here.

Afterwards, don’t worry – there’s plenty to see and do in town.  One of the reasons why Catania decided to open The Cheese Cave in this location is because he views Red Bank as a destination town.

“Red Bank is really one of the foremost towns where people say ‘Let’s go someplace to walk around.’  It’s good to be in a town where people have something to do and see, and there are independent retailers.”

So if this blog leaves you craving cheese and you are wondering ‘Quel Fromage?’ – come to The Cheese Cave and have your question (and craving) answered with a taste experience you won’t soon forget!

You can connect with The Cheese Cave on their website, on Facebook, or on Twitter @cheesecaveRB. Better yet, just walk right in and enjoy the cheesiest experience you’ve ever had on Monmouth Street in Red Bank, NJ!  And if you can’t make it, they ship all over the continental United States!

• A menu for lunch specials is posted every week on The Cheese Cave’s Facebook page and website.
  
  
• You can also contact them to host your own custom wine and cheese tasting event.
  
  
• Sunday School at The Cheese Cave event (October  28, $20 per person, 5:30- 7pm)
  
  
• The Cheese Cave also has an American Cheese Month Passport Program for the month of October.  When you think of American Cheese, don’t think of Kraft Singles!  What ‘American Cheese’ in this instance means is specialty artisan cheeses made in America.  If you purchase a passport de fromage for $10, it entitles you to a 20% discount on a designated cheese of the day during the entire month of October.  All of the revenue from passport sales benefits the nonprofit American Cheese Education Foundation.
  
  
• The Cheese Cave always participates in the culinary event of the season, Red Bank’s Holiday Flavour, and will be doing so this year, too.  And if you are searching for that perfect holiday gift, The Cheese Cave has a cheese of the month club, and also offers gift certificates for purchase!

This blog post was also published via Patch Media through the above links.

PRESS RELEASE:  Atlantic City, NJ (October 22, 2012) - South Jersey native and former DreamWorks prodigy, Lori Sunshine, is on her way to being one of the top Urban Pop artists in the world. Her resume includes international performances in Russia, Rome and London, a performance of her single on the nostalgic show Soul Train, and many commercials including one with Fresh Prince's Tatiana Ali.

Taking her career to the next level, Sunshine joined forces with a few exceptional Producers including Madman of 609 Productions, ChrisNTeeb, Dane Estler, AudioSity, and writer Tracy Sconiers to complete her new EP, Sunshine. These unique beats will come to life on Saturday November 3rd as she performs LIVE during her Music Release Kick-Off Party, with the band directed by Lonnie Smalls and
accompanied by South Jersey's best DJ Fah D, at The Blue Martini inside Bally's Casino Hotel Atlantic City, NJ. Tickets are only $15 for rsvp's (all media will be comped) and the first 150 attendees are guaranteed an autographed copy of the EP.

Add Sunshine's incredible vocals to her amazing personality and beautiful image, and you have the perfect recipe for a rising star. As a vibrant experienced independent artist with charisma and spunk, she rightfully has a loyal group of fans that continue to follow her through every journey. When asked what her fans can look forward to in this album, she says “A crazy vocal arrangement along with beats that make you want to dance!”. Needless to say, this Atlantic City launch of her promotional tour is already on pace to sell out.

The night kicks off at 10pm however, Sunshine is offering two press conferences throughout the evening. The first will be at 8:30pm during her sound check and the other will be immediately following her
performance. There will be a reserved section for all media that RSVP to [email protected] .

This self proclaimed Mom, Teacher, & Pop Princess is a true advocate for education and when it comes to music, she firmly believes in connecting with music that displays true self expression. Sunshine gives this advice to aspiring artists: “Invest in yourself, stay humble and grounded, have love and passion for what you do, and be careful what you represent”.

Although this new journey is just beginning for Sunshine, she's had her fair share of ups and downs along the way and her story is an inspiration to many artists. Since the age of 4, Sunshine had a hand in the music industry. Her first big break came at 19 years old when her agent Full Force secured her a deal with the DreamWorks Record Label. Due to creative differences, the two separated, which caused Sunshine to give up on music all together, including singing in church. It was almost as if she rebelled against herself instead of looking to the positive to express her pain. After some time passed, she created a team who believed in her vision, she gained back her confidence and uses music as an outlet to vent a wide range of emotions. As she likes to say, “I tapped back in the ring and I'm ready to rock out for the
championship”.



You can find more on Lori Sunshine at www.reverbnation.com/lorisunshine , on Facebook, and on Twitter
@LoriLSunshine



WHO:  Lori Sunshine
WHAT:  Music Release Party
WHERE:  The Blue Martini at Bally's Casino Hotel Atlantic City, NJ
WHEN:  PRESS CONFERENCE 8:30pm  please RSVP to [email protected] by Friday November 2nd

###

Press release provided by WIN Promotions & Consulting

Lori Sunshine's music release party has been postponed until early 2013 due to Hurricane Sandy's impact on the area: http://galloway.patch.com/articles/lori-sunshine-ready-for-return-to-the-music-world?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001

Do you want to know the real answer to the burning question if the world will end on December 21, 2012?  I consulted a Mayan scholar who has unveiled the secrets of the Maya in his book, 2012 Science & Prophecy of the Ancient Maya, and what I learned definitely shed some light on the subject.

I had to hurry up and get this blog in before the end of the world!  You know, 12/21/2012.  The Mayan calendar says “Time’s up!”

The world will end on December 21 or December 23, 2012, depending on how you interpret the Mayan calendar...and if you believe that when their calendar ends, life as we know it will, too.

I wish I had the ability to predict the future as many people feel the Mayans could and can do with accuracy down to the date of significant events.  So when it comes to figuring out the future, who better to consult than an expert in Mayan-ology, if you will - Dr. Mark Van Stone - author of 2012 Science & Prophecy of the Ancient Maya.

Mayan scholar, Dr. Mark Van Stone peels apart the Mayan calendar on the pages of his book for those wanting to learn the translation of the symbols and the meaning behind the myths.  While going through the appendices, I was interested to find out facts about how the Mayan system of counting is a base-20 because people in the tropics didn't wear shoes, and they used both their fingers and toes to count!  These are the kinds of interesting tidbits you will find scattered throughout his book.

Although this collection of essays is technical in nature, the introduction is very helpful in mapping out a way you can navigate the book.  Van Stone recommends reading it out of order, selecting chapters of your choosing, which may strike your interest on a personal level.  I loved this presentation, as I'm all for trying things in unconventional ways.  Reading a book out of order made this interesting to me, and I liked being able to sit down for five or ten minutes at a time to digest independent, but related nuggets about Mayan civilization, knowledge, and predictions.  (Plus, the way my days go, I rarely have time to sit for a spell without interruptions.  Reading short excerpts of a technical nature made this publication easy to digest in several sittings.)

Right from the get-go, Dr. Van Stone confirms and dispels many of the predictions that scientists and mythologists have perpetuated over time.  He does corroborate that there will be a galactic alignment of the earth and sun during the solstice along the Galactic Equator, but places it in perspective, as this event has happened several times before, since the dawning of time. 

He also acknowledges that the Mayan monuments contain errors, and the Maya believed that if you made a mistake, you don’t erase it.  So… we can deduce from that, what you read in the Mayan culture is not necessarily accurate – and it’s always open to interpretation. Add to that, that their calendar is in a way cyclical, and as Dr. Van Stone puts it in his book, “much more is missing than is there” when it comes to accounts of Maya myth, and you certainly have a mystery.  Cyclical to the Mayans isn’t what cyclical truly means to us, though.  We think of our calendar as starting over with each new year. For the Mayans, when one era ended, it was just making way for a new era, that would be much greater than the one that had just passed.

When you add in the knowledge that different Mayan city-states had different methods of time keeping, just as they had differences in their language and building materials, this just makes it all that more difficult for those translating their stories to do so with complete accuracy.

One of the compelling elements of 2012 Science & Prophecy of the Ancient Maya is the capture of photographs of the glyphs and the diagrams of what the symbols mean.  Just as we have a calendar we use in modern times, remember that the Chinese have a rotation of animals marking time, and other cultures differ in their methodology as well.  When December 31 on the Gregorian calendar approaches each year, does the world end?  When the Chinese complete a year of the Rat is it destined to repeat, or will life as we know it cease to be?  When you put the Mayan markings into a framework like this, then maybe we can begin to understand and appreciate a society that was so astrologically advanced beyond their time, that time, was not just measured in days, but centuries beyond what they could see.

The Mayans, in their wisdom, also predicted what was to happen on their calendar date 13.0.0.0.0 (the equivalent of 21 December 2012).  There is a Mayan document that refers to this date and says that a god, Bolon Yokte’ will “descend”.  The problem is, the glyphs that spell this out – are broken.  So no one knows what this god will do once he descends, and it’s anybody’s guess as to the details.  This is where legend begins and factual support ends.  The best that experts can explain what Bolon Yokte’ is, is that it’s a god of change, destruction, and period endings.  S/he wasn’t written about very often, either.

One thing that is for sure is that the Mayan date 13.0.0.0.0 does correspond in real time to 2012, and according to Mayan inscriptions, this “will be a time of great change.”  Change, is constant.  Great change is subjective and open to interpretation.

What else is interesting is that in other Mayan glyphs, they refer to time in notations of billions and billions of years – whether referring to the future or the past.  Dr. Van Stone hypothesizes that the Mayans did this “simply because they could”, and they also did it to express religious awe – sort of like how the Bible marks people of its time living for over a hundred years.  If this is the case, the Maya chronologized events that would happen long after December 21, 2012, and that infers they believed that life would go on, for a long time afterwards.

Also, Dr. Van Stone mentions the possibility that 13.0.0.0.0 on the Mayan calendar could be the equivalent of “when your car odometer rolls over to a million,” and suggests that this date could have been like any other date, just like the year 2000 was to us in recent times.  We all panicked over Y2K, and after it happened, it wasn’t a cataclysmic event like some thought it would be.

After reading this, I asked myself, is the Mayan story of the end of a period of time any different from Revelations in the Bible?  Is it a way that a civilization chose to record their thoughts about the end of an era or the end of human kind?  Is the Maya legend the focus rather than the measure of when these events were predicted to occur?

The Mayans loved to write about the ends of previous eras, or worlds, if you will.   According to them, mass destruction of life had happened many times before, so why wouldn’t it happen again? When they wrote about their versions of Armageddon, the destruction of these worlds in the past was very complete.  At the same time, the Maya wrote about new beginnings.  Aside from some animals surviving, the new eras were complete do-overs. So if the Mayans meant that on December 21 life as we know it would end, well, you can be assured that they meant total destruction.  And if a new cycle was to begin again, it would be from the bare-bones on up, starting with the re-creation of the Sun and the Moon. 

As a writer, I have to ask myself – did the Mayans limit themselves to non-fiction writing?  Or did they like to embellish, tell stories, and venture in to the fictional as well?  Scholars like to regard the glyphs as historical accounts with some semblance of accuracy.  However, even as children we learn to use our imaginations and can be very good story tellers in the realm of fantasy, drawing upon truthful experiences so others can relate to our tales.

As a novice epigrapher, I looked at the Mayan glyphs in the novel as an artistic presentation of their language and relied on the English translation of their broad meanings.  But if you are more scientifically inclined, this is a reference tool that can engage the most sophisticated translator in deciphering the meanings of the Mayan markings.

So, will the world end on 12/21/2012?  You’ll have to read Dr. Van Stone’s book to find out.  I’ve always believed that coincidences are not just coincidences.  There’s a reason why we notice patterns.  It’s all just a matter of the correct interpretation to understand what these patterns mean.

And if we are still here on May 9, 2013, Dr. Van Stone has graciously offered to give 10 of TheLadyinRedBlog.com readers free electronic copies of his book during the Red Hot Birthday Bash.  If you can't wait that long, check out his interactive edition for the iPad.  It's amazing with its use of video and graphics as exemplified in the video below.

You can connect with Mark Van Stone, Ph.D. (Professor of Art History at Southwestern College) by visiting his website, his YouTube Channel, on Facebook, or following him on Twitter @mayatruth.

His books may be purchased on amazon.com or you can enjoy the interactive iBook experience here.

General Public Invited to Attend “Small Factory Flicks” Season 2 NYC Life Premiere
Saturday, November 3rd, 8:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Yummy Good Juice Bar and Vegan Cafe, 7 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ

PRESS RELEASE:  Fair Haven, NJ  (October 18th, 2012) – Small Factory Productions invites families to attend the premiere of its “Factory Flicks” Season Two cartoon series on Saturday, November 3rd, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Yummy Good Juice Bar and Vegan Cafe located on 7 Broad Street in Red Bank, NJ. Guests will power up at this free event with a morning of Emmy-Winning cartoons, complimentary juices and healthy snacks.

Currently enjoying wide acclaim across the greater New York area, Small Factory Productions’ Factory Flicks are entertaining kids Saturday mornings on NYC life, the flagship station of NYC Media, the official network of the City of New York. In 2012, Small Factory was presented with an NYC Emmy® Award for children’s programming. The cartoons have been described by parents and educators as pure, creative fun with a dose of healthy guidance for learning life’s difficult lessons.

Following the live television airing of Factory Flicks from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m., Small Factory will rerun the show continuously from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Many of the cartoons turn a hopeful eye to the next generation, boasting authentic voices that are relatable to children of all ages and
 offer a plan to parents for raising more engaged, community-minded kids. One of the featured cartoons in the episode is “Earth Day Party", which was created by children from the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals. Festival guests will be asked to lend a paw and make a suggested donation of $10 per family to support the Foundation’s grantees – unsung heroes from nonprofit organizations working in animal rescue and welfare.

"Earth Day Party" Factory Flick created by children from the
Purr'n Pooch Foundation for Animals

Throughout the event, “Factory Flicks” Co Hosts Anna Phillips (age 11 from Fair Haven), Dylan Snee (age 9 from Fair Haven), Zachary Pich (age 12 from Tinton Falls), Zachary Colucci (age 11 from Fair Haven) and Molly Siciliano (age 11 from Red Bank) will be in attendance to meet and greet guests. Every Saturday morning, these local kids will introduce NYC life’s viewers to a new set of cartoons and high-energy cartoon takeouts like “Draw Cool Things” and “Cartoon Voices”, revealing the creative process the young producers experienced to make their “Factory Flicks.”

“We invite the public to join us for the exciting television premiere of the Second Season of Factory Flicks on NYC life,” said Chris Dudick, Executive Producer, Small Factory Productions. “Join us in Red Bank, NJ, a city that embraces and celebrates the arts, as we showcase the creativity of hundreds of young artists and producers from across Monmouth County.”

The new season of “Factory Flicks” premieres on Saturday, November 3rd at 8:30am on NYC life. Episodes will also re-air on Mondays and Thursdays at 11am. NYC life is available in the New York tri-state area on broadcast, cable and satellite channels (In New Jersey, it’s available on channel 25 on Verizon Fios, channel 22 on Cablevision and channel 14 on Comcast.). Visit nyc.gov/media for local cable and satellite listings. “Factory Flicks” is also available to watch online on the NYC Media Video on Demand player – nyc.gov/vod – and through the NYC Media app, available to download for free from iTunes.

About Small Factory Productions
Small Factory provides support and technical expertise while respecting and celebrating a child's individual, creative voice. Programs include claymation, music lessons and production, acting, video game creation, story telling, social skills for special learners and kindergarten enrichment. Small Factory uses curriculum that meets National and State Standards for Language Arts Literacy and Performing Arts to help children create and cast characters, develop stories, write scripts, record voices and play music. Small Factory Productions has created a library of more than 200 cartoons produced by more than 1,000 children. When a child's creativity is nurtured, the possibilities for growth are endless! www.mysmallfactory.com

The Lady in Red was looking for a RED hot signature drink and it looks like the Red Cactus Margarita was chosen for her by readers! Congratulations to Nancy Regan, the winner of the $25 Amex gift card!

It's quite fitting that a Red Cactus Margarita was chosen for The Lady in Red given her love of the South West.  What's even better is that she included the recipe for this cocktail below! Yum!

Below are photos of the submissions.  Polls were supposed to open on November 1st, but Superstorm Sandy had other plans.  Sheesh, if she wanted to have us elect a President at the same time a lucky winner was elected to receive a $25 American Express gift card for the best beverage photo, all she had to do was ask.

All readers  had to do to enter was post a picture of ANY drink that they thought was  red hot on The Lady in Red's Facebook page, or tweet it to her @LadyinRedBlog.  The drink didn't  have to have alcohol in it.  It could have been a cocktail, mocktail, a classy glass of wine, or any beverage of choice as long as the photo was an entrant's own.

The Lady in Red sure could use a drink after Sandy, and this is a good one!

Here are some of the recipes that were optionally submitted by contest entrants.  Thank you all!

Chipotle Cherry Margarita - by Cj Snyder

1 cup cherries
2 oz tequila
1/4 cup simple syrup
1.5 tsp Texas Pete Chipotle Hot Sauce
1 cup Ice
smoked salt (to rim the glass)
2 maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions:

1.  Moisten the rim of the glass and roll it in the smoked salt.
2.  Take the remaining ingredients and blend them together.

Red Cactus Margarita - by Nancy Regan

4 cups CranRaspberry Juice
3/4 cup Bacardi Margarita frozen concentrate
1/2 cup triple sec
3/4 cup tequila
4 cups ice
1 lime (sliced for garnish)
sugar (to rim the glass)

Instructions:

1.  Moisten the rim of the glasses and roll them in the sugar.
2.  Take the remaining ingredients, except for the lime slices, and place in a blender.  Blend.
3.  Pour drinks in glasses and garnish each one with a lime slice.

The Cherry Prairie Fire  (a layered drink shooter) - by Cj Snyder


Cherry Liqueur
6 dashes of fire (your choice of red hot sauce)
tequila (from the freezer)
1 maraschino cherry garnish

Instructions:

1. Shoot the drink and pop the cherry. (Make and drink at own risk)

Middletown, NJ (October 8th, 2012)- On Friday, October 19th, 2012 from 6:00-8:30 p.m., the Middletown Arts Center (MAC), located on 36 Church Street in Middletown, NJ, will host the family friendly Zany Zombie Bash, suitable for all ages. Attendees will enjoy Halloween crafts, face painting and glow in the dark drawing fun with the Middletown Arts Center's Instructor Laurie Ruggeri and friends. The event will also feature a costume parade, a Monster Mash dance freeze and a pre-event concert performance by Miss Sherri, award-winning children’s singer and songwriter.

Prior to the Zany Zombie Bash, Miss Sherri will host a "Dress Up Fun" concert in the Middletown Arts Center theater from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join Miss Sherri, Dancing Deena, Go Go Green and International kids music sensation Mr. Ray for a live concert filming where children of all ages are invited to dance and sing in their costumes. Mr. Ray has performed with Bruce Springsteen, Meatloaf and many other celebrity rockers, but he has always said his toughest critics are the kids. $5 for kids and adults, children under one are free. Stay for the Zombie Bash Party after the concert and let's do the Monster Mash.

The cost to attend the Zany Zombie Bash is $5 per person, $20 per family. Attend both the Miss Sherri Concert and Zombie Bash and pay a discounted rate of $8 per child or adult. Post a picture and instructions for your very own creative DIY Halloween Arts and Craft on the Middletown Arts Center's Facebook page wall by October 15th, and receive a special gift from the Zombie Bash's Cauldron of Goodies on Friday, October 19th from 6:00-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.middletownarts.org or call 732-706-4100.

"With so much Zombie action happening across Monmouth County this October, all of us at the Middletown Arts Center (MAC) are thrilled to offer families a less scary option that celebrates the spooky season, but remains kid-friendly," said Maggie O'Brien, Executive Director, Middletown Arts Center. "Join us for this fun-filled fundraiser fit for ghouls, ghosts and princesses of all ages."

About the Middletown Arts Center

The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art facility run by the nonprofit Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council and is dedicated to bringing quality arts programming and events to Middletown and surrounding communities. The MAC offers enrichment programs and entertainment for all ages and abilities.  Visit www.middletownarts.org for more information. The MAC can also be found on Facebook at Middletown Arts Center and Twitter @MiddletownArts.

PRESS RELEASE: Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts To Host American Red Cross of New Jersey’s Pet First Aid Course for Dog and Cat Owners - Tuesday, October 16th, 7:00-10:00 p.m., 86 West Gilbert Street, Tinton Falls, NJ

Tinton Falls, NJ (October 1st, 2011) – The American Red Cross of New Jersey will host a Pet First Aid Course at Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts, located on 86 West Gilbert Street in Tinton Falls, NJ, on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Just like with people, accidents and emergencies can happen to animals so being prepared could make a lifesaving difference. The cost per student is $70 and registration is requested online at www.redcross.org or by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS.

“All of us at Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts have peace of mind knowing that our over 50 employees have the Pet First Aid Training necessary to take life saving actions on behalf of our clients and pets,” aid Elizabeth Palazzo, Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts. “We are now thrilled to partner with The American Red Cross to offer other pet owners from across the region the special opportunity to learn the basic training that could potentially save their pet’s life during en emergency.”

Participants will learn how to respond to health emergencies and provide basic first aid for their four-legged family members. Practice and preparation will help owners to remain calm and effective in an emergency, protecting the owner and his or her animal from further injury or suffering. The Dog and Cat First Aid Course length is 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours.

The curriculum covered in the three-hour Pet First Aid Course includes:

•   Understanding basic pet owner responsibilities.

•   Administering medicine.

•   Managing breathing and cardiac emergencies.

•   Managing urgent care situation.

Every participant will receive a complimentary book and dvd. The illustrated "Dog First Aid" and "Cat First Aid" books outline symptoms and procedures for common ailments and emergencies. The author, Bobbie Mammato, DVM, MPH, is an emergency and critical care veterinarian who also has a Masters in Public Health. In addition to her duties as a part-time small animal practitioner, she is a disaster relief consultant to The Humane Society of the United States.

For more information on Purr'n Pooch Pet Resorts and other upcoming events, visit www.purrnpooch.com or call (732) 842-4949.