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Letter from EditorCITY MAGAZINE

April 2010

Contents

06 Picnic Sandwichs

08 Local Flavor

10 Dawn Wells

15 D’Vine Wine

16 Hoopla April 2010

18 Earth Day

20 Pet Allergies

22 30 Min Cleaning

24 How To Play Roulette

28 Tequila Camey

Like so many of you, I am dreaming of spring. Spring is exciting to me! And though it doesn't take much to excite me I was just thinking of all the "little things" I find I love about early spring. Some of my favorite things are the flowers and trees in bloom. I love digging in the dirt and planting the colorful spring flowers. I love seeing the robins hopping around their nest, trying to protect their blue eggs. I love the feel of grass under my bare toes or just throwing on flip-flops to wear to the store.

I love being surrounded by the colors of the season. The colors of yellow, blue, and green and pink just shout the word, spring. I look forward to buying new spring dresses and shoes; to planning picnics and cookouts and basically just knowing there is no snow in my future. Happy thoughts are what come to mind when I hear the word spring

Spring time -- fresh, new and exciting. Get out, go on a hike. Pack a nice picnic. Take a good book. Nice music. Fine wine. A blanket to sit on or a nice compact folding chair. For dessert, maybe a nice chunk of good choco-late. Vegetable sticks and potato chips, with a little container of creamy salad dressing for dipping. Sandwiches can be new and exciting. Start with great bread, different looking and fresh. Make a flavored mayonnaise, then you can put on anything you like.

Try these:

Fried Kielbasa SandwichesYou can grill any cooked sausage you like for this sandwich, but we recommend kielbasa or salami.Active time: 25 minutes. Start to finish: 30 minutes.3/4 to 1 lb. smoked kielbasa or salami 2 tbsps. olive oil 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 tbsp. drained bottled horseradish 2 tbsps. white-wine vinegar 1 tsp. honey 1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. black pepper 1 small head Boston lettuce, torn into small pieces 4 (6-inch-long) crusty rolls, such as Portuguese, halved horizontally

Cut kielbasa crosswise into 4 long sections, then halve each section lengthwise. If using salami, cut lengthwise into 8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices.

Some great picnic sandwich ideas.

6 - City Magazine

Whisk together oil, mustard, horseradish, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified. Toss lettuce with half of vinaigrette and reserve remain-der.Toast tops and bottoms of rolls, then transfer, cut sides up, to a platter. Brush cut sides of top halves with remaining vinaigrette and mound salad on bottom halves.

Fry sausage in lightly oiled Teflon pan until desired crispness, then arrange on top of lettuce (2 pieces per sandwich) and cover with top halves of rolls. Cut sand-wiches in half crosswise.Makes 4 servings.

Best Ever Egg Salad Sandwiches

Chopped pimiento-stuffed olives and Dijon mustard take a standard to new heights. Offer potato chips, cherry tomatoes, and sliced deli-style pickle alongside.

8 hard-boiled eggs, peeled, coarsely chopped 1/3 cup finely chopped celery 1/4 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard 12 slices white sandwich bread, toasted 12 red leaf lettuce leaves

Combine chopped eggs, celery and olives in a bowl. Mix in ¼ cup mayonnaise and mustard. Season with salt and pepper.

Place toast slices on a work surface; spread lightly with remaining mayonnaise. Divide egg salad among 6 toast slices. Place 2 lettuce leaves atop egg salad on each. Cover with remaining toast slices, mayonnaise side down. Cut sandwiches diagonally in half.Makes 6 servings.

8 - City Magazine

When I travel I often find a top ten list of "the best" places to eat. I find though that the list was made up by some person who works for the magazine or did a column; nonethe-less he dubs it to be "the best" top ten list. In the bigger cities many people rely on these critics, then so must the restaurant. At least if it is a food critic they tend to give the places numerous visits before ultimately pounding the gavel, where as those search engine critics (a.k.a. average Jose) judge on one visit. If it was good to great one visit is O.K. But if they were to have a bad day or were

served by a person who was having a bad day or if that person wasn't a good employee and management hadn't recognized it yet, well then that would be awful, to be judged on one visit. Most of us however, just rely on “word-of-mouth" or friend to friend. So with all that being said, we are often asked with much intrigue, "where do we eat?" We tend to visit our independent friends’ restaurants from very small to big, but we find a favorite dish in any place. Without mentioning the restaurants you are already familiar with, how about if I share the smaller places with you. We like the chicken mole at Celia's on 6th street or a carnita torta at Mexico Lindo on Georgia Street. We also enjoy taquitos from Maribel's taco truck behind the Tavern on the Boulevard. Or a whole duck at Bangkok on South Amarillo Blvd. Oh, and the lamb plate at the African Safari next door and their "white water" just means bottled water, I’m not sure why but I hate to speculate in print. We believe every independent place has some-thing to offer and a story behind the dish you like most. I know we do. Ask me about the Mitsy special or the Viernes plate some time. So try not to focus on “the best list" and find a favorite "dish". Happy Eating.

Jorge Veloz II

“The Best”

With 20 years of being Amarillo's cornerstone of fine dining, Marty's continues its dedication to their patrons. Happy Hour Mon.-Thur. 4pm-7pm & Friday 4pm-8pm, with Free Pizza on Fridays!!! Wed. & Sat. Happy Hour Specials available all night long in the back bar!!! Also

on Wed. & Sat., all restaurant and bar employees get their first drink for $1 with proof of employment!!!

Marty's also features incredible lunch specials for only $6.99!!!

CALL NOW TO MAKE YOUR SPRINGTIME CATERING & BANQUET ARRANGEMENTS!!!

34th & Georgia 353-3523

Try our famous margaritas... Or order food To-Go!!! We also have traditional Tex-Mex & New Mexi-

can Favorites!!! Our Lengua, Menudo, & Barbacoa are made

fresh daily!!! Family Owned, Family Operated.

1100 S. Ross 806-371-0411

Amarillo’s newest restaurant is known for the great taste of American cuisine. Amarillo Legends offer a large menu that offers something for everyone. At breakfast enjoy pancakes ands muffins. If you

want something hearty then try the farmhouse breakfast featuring our renowned ham and eggs.

On the lunchtime menu you can find various sandwiches, hamburgers and salads. Come by for dinner and you can order our healthy serving of

smothered steak.

2909 I-40. 3322-(food) 3663.

Sometimes life can throw us a curve ball. It can be financial, emotional, and, quite often, it can be health related. It’s during these times of unexpected tragedy that we find the will to persevere and push through, and sometimes these situations can bring out the generosity and humanity in people that we never knew existed. One of the most charitable actions a person can take to help others in trying times is to donate an organ. In recognition of those giving individuals and to promote awareness, April has been deemed organ donation month. One such individual that has contributed to help others in this way is Dawn Wells.

Dawn Wells was born in Sunray and attended WT to graduate with a degree in psychology. She then moved to Dallas for a while and realized that there’s no place like Amarillo and that “you can’t meet better people than in Amarillo” and so moved back. Soon after moving back, Dawn began attending Paramount Terrace Christian Church (now Hillside Christian Church). In December 2003, Dawn became acquainted with “The Big Red King,” as he was known in the church for his roll in the yearly Christmas pageant, 6’7” Norm Saunders. Norm and Dawn were acquaintances and for a year didn’t have much interaction outside of general church related events. In September of 2004, Jan Frisbee, a mutual friend of both Norm and Dawn, called Dawn and told her to

please pray for “The Big Red King” because he had to go back on the transplant list for a new kidney. Norm had previously had one transplant that lasted 3 years, but it gave out and he returned to being on dialysis. After testing Norm’s family for possible matches, the doctors found that none of the family members were good candidates for a transplant. With no match found, the waiting list could take up to 4 years. Dawn had a feeling that she could help Norm. After telling Jan she was interested in donating, Jan informed her that she had to have the same blood type. Norm was A- and Dawn had thought she was A+ but wasn’t sure. She started praying that they would be a match and went to Coffee Memorial to get a test. She then found out that she was actually A-, a perfect match (although as it turns out, A+ would have worked as well). After finding this out, Dawn and Norm began the process of getting things ready for the transplant. Doctors rushed through the tests and the insurance approved everything in record time, which was miraculous to say the least. In a matter of just a few weeks, in October 2004, the transplant was performed. Dawn was amazed at her resolve in the whole ordeal and said, “I’m the biggest chicken when it comes to pain. I’m the kind of person that asks to be numbed when taking blood. I know this had to be from God because otherwise I would have been scared and backed out. I have a zero pain tolerance but I never had any fear.”

10 - City Magazine

During the time that Norm and Dawn were getting to know each other, Dawn came to find out that Norm had sat 4 rows behind her in church for years and never knew it. Norm had attended Paramount Terrace for some 30 years and Dawn for 10 years, but it was only in those 2 years, leading up to and after the transplant, that Dawn and Norm became acquaintances and friends. “We did the transplant in October, and I was kind of low on family and feeling alone in the big world. The crazy thing about the whole transplant thing is that I kind of became part of Norm’s family over night; all of his relatives were very welcoming and embraced me as their own. It was the hugest blessing I could have received; I got much more than a kidney,” Dawn said. Dawn ended up spending most of her holidays with Norm’s family that year and felt blessed.

Dawn and Norm remained close friends and things were going well for both of them. In April 2005, Dawn was volunteering at the National Kidney Foundation Golf Tournament at Tascosa Country Club with Karen Saunders, Norm’s wife. During the tournament, Karen and Dawn were asked to go score a team as the teams were being dispersed on the holes. Dawn ended up scorekeeping for Happy State Bank. It was on the 15th hole that she met her future husband, Gary Wells. Gary had been widowed for 8 months as his wife had passed away from cancer. He had wondered if he would ever find love again and had prayed that if he met someone that God wanted him to stay with to let the hair on the back of his neck stand up. After the tournament, Dawn and Gary were taking off their rain gear with the team, and while removing part of her rain gear; Dawn steadied herself on Gary’s shoulder causing the hair on his neck to stand up.

As 2005 progressed, Gary and Dawn continued seeing each other and eventually became engaged. In July of 2005, things began to go poorly for Norm however. He began having trouble with his kidney again. After trying new medication with no success, Norm had to get back on dialysis in October. Dialysis worked for Norm for a few months, however May 28th 2006, two weeks before Gary and Dawn were to be married, Norm started showing signs of rejection so doctors had to remove the kidney. From that surgery, came major complications that started a snowball effect. Over the next 2 weeks,

Norm’s health continued to decline. Norm was to walk Dawn down the isle and Karen was Dawn’s Matron of Honor, but tragedy struck, and Norm passed away the

night before the wedding. Despite the emotional devastation, Karen insisted that the wedding go on, that Norm would not have it any other way. All of Norm and Karen’s family still attended the wedding despite the grief. Dawn said about the wedding and Norm’s passing, “The honeymoon obviously was sad, but it felt like God was closing one door and opening another. It took me many, many months to understand God’s purpose in all of that, and I still don’t understand it all, but my part was to give, I don’t determine the outcome. If we already knew what the outcome was we might not give, so we just have to give in faith.”

Dawn and Norm’s journey together is a true testament to the incredible things that can happen when those unexpected misfortunes come to pass. There are roughly 80K people waiting for a kidney transplant. People often have many misconceptions about donating a kidney. Dawn said that she can’t feel a difference without her kidney and that donating it brought her so much joy. Whether you know someone who needs a kidney or not, you can help someone that does. Check out the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org or a great donation organization that helps link donors with recipients called Paired at www.paireddonation.org. Dawn is also happy to answer any questions one might have and can be reached at dawntwells@yahoo.com.

Dawn WellsNorm Saunders Dr. Van Buren

City Magazine - 11

Phenomenal medical breakthroughs continue every day within the transplant field due to the dedication of transplant professionals and the generosity of donors and their families. National Donate Life Month recognizes and applauds all those who help save and enhance the lives of others through donation.

Even though hundreds of thousands of people have provided the gift of life through a commitment to organ donation, there is still a tremendous need. More than 84,000 people are on the nation's organ transplant waiting list. On average, 16 patients die each day while awaiting an organ.

One of the most important decisions you can make in honor of National Donate Life Month is to become a donor. Your decision will make a difference, as one donor can help more than fifty people. The first step, aside from signing a donor card or indicating organ donor on your driver's license, is to express your decision to be an organ donor with your family.

National Donate Life Month assists in raising public awareness of the critical need for organ, tissue, marrow and blood donation. The transplant community recognizes donor families and their decision to give others the gift of life during National Donate Life Month. Events and ceremonies commemorating the gift of life will be held across the country.

April is National Donate Life Month

There are three kinds of ultraviolet light: UVA, UVB and UVC. Two of those categories, UVA and UVB, are used in indoor tanning equipment.

Tanning equipment is designed to replicate UVA and UVB produced by the sun, but tanning lamps emit the light in carefully controlled and government-regulated combinations. As a result, the user has control over their exposure. That’s why people face greater risk of overexposure tanning outdoors than they do by using tanning equipment indoors.

Tanning itself takes place in the skin’s outermost layer, the epider-mis. There are three major types of skin cells in your epidermis: basal cells, keratinocytes and melanocytes. All play different roles in the tanning process.

Everyone has roughly the same number of melanocytes in their bodies—about 5 million. Your heredity determines how much pigment your melanocytes can produce. Melanocytes release extra melanosomes whenever ultraviolet light waves touch them. This produces a tan in your skin.

The tanning process is your skin’s natural way of protecting itself from sunburn and overexposure. Calling a tan “damage to the skin” isn’t telling the whole story. Your skin is designed to tan to protect itself.

Ultravoliet Light

Sandi McGarraugh

I love the longer days and getting all the sunshine. It’s not really the politically correct thing to admit, but I think the public has been hugely misguided. Today, fear has captured our country and keeps people hiding indoors, under layers of clothing, and chemical laden sunscreens. I don’t deny the dangers of overexposure to the sun or skin cancer, but I do want to educate you on some little known information on this issue.

According to the Vitamin D Council, to get the daily-recommended amount vitamin D, you’d have to drink 50 glasses of milk! Vitamin D deficiency contributes to least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more. (this information found at www.vitamindcouncil.org)

And as for sunscreens, I can’t stand the smell, they prevent UV absorption therefore the production of vitamin D,

and they are full of chemicals that frankly I don’t want in my body. SO, what do ya do? I HAVE THE ANSWER: try the ALL NATURAL mineral sunscreen made by Bare Essentials. It’s in a powder form, but not a make-up, so your hubby and kiddos won’t freak on you when you brush it all over their body. No smell, no burn, no chemicals. So enjoy the sun, but be smart about protecting your skin, and come into The Loft to get your natural sunscreen.

Ahhhh. …Sunshine!

City Magazine - 13

Amarillo’s Wine BoutiqueD’Vine Wine

When one wishes to have a drink with friends, typically a bar or restaurant comes to mind as their only choice. This however is not the case. For those that enjoy a good glass of wine, Amarillo is privileged enough to have acquired a new addition to our drinking choices, D’Vine Wine.

D’Vine Wine is located in Wolflin Village and is one of Amarillo’s most unique shops. Owner’s Charlotte Lookingbill, Shawnda Morrison, and Johnnie Shannon opened their doors on October 31, 2009 after a relative of Johnnie & Shawnda’s (father and daughter) had moved to San Angelo and ran across this distinctive franchise. The concept peaked their interest and they got together with their friend Charlotte to open one in Amarillo.

D’Vine Wine is a winery boutique that specializes in custom quality wines at an affordable price. Their range of wines runs the gamut from reds like merlot, cabernet, pinot noir, and red zinfandel to whites like chardonnay, pinot grigio, and sauvignon blanc. In addition to these classics, they also carry a large assortment of fruit infused wines that are sure to accommodate almost any palette, with their strawberry, cranberry, blackberry, peach, grapefruit, blueberry, green apple, pomegranate, and sangria. For those that prefer a good dessert wine or sweet wine, D’Vine Wine also carries a chocolate port and a chocolate & raspberry port that provide an explosion of smooth, decadent flavor that will leave you wanting more.

Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of D’Vine Wine is the fact that they make all of their wines on site in mini brewers in the rear area of the facility. This distinct characteristic of D’Vine Wine allows customers to create custom wines using their broad range of ingredients to fit one’s personal taste. The process is both educational and fun for the customer as they select the type of wine from sampling current brews, mix the high quality California grape juice with the yeast and other ingredients, and bottle & cork their very own bottles of wine. Customers even get to customize labeling for the wine to create a truly unique vintage. This can be a great gift for any occasion or just to stock your own personal line of wines to share with friends and family. These tailor made wines take up to 60 days to ferment, so if making that special vintage is on your to do list, be sure to schedule a wine making to allow enough time for when it’s needed.

Additionally, D’Vine Wine is capable of accommodating events and can serve as a venue for nearly any affair, from weddings, birthdays, showers, & anniversaries to corporate events, private wine tastings, & even group wine making events. Their tasting room can comfortably accommodate up to 40 guests and they can arrange for catering or, at no additional cost, will allow the customer to arrange for their own cuisine to complement the mood of the event.

The most wonderful part about D’Vine Wine is the fact that it is a great place just to go and relax. The ambiance of this place is amazing. It brings to mind the feeling of a café that one might find in some European town. The staff is very knowledgeable in the subject of wine, as they are not just selling wine they are making it. This provides an excellent source of understanding in helping one choose the right wine. One could stop by mid afternoon for a quick glass of wine for a little break during the day then return later with some friends for some casual drinks. Throughout the week, D’Vine Wine also has specials. For those that might not be partial to wine, D’Vine Wine also has frozen “Wine-a-Ritas” that blend the festivity of a margarita with some of their signature wines for a great cocktail drink. For when you might need a little something to snack on, D’Vine Wine has cheese trays and fresh bread from The Village Bakery. They also carry a multitude of gift items ranging from unique wine glasses & bottles to cake mixes, shirts, hats, and the like.

D’Vine Wine is Amarillo’s newest and most delightful place for your wine needs. Stop in any time Mon.-Thur. 11am-7pm or Fri. & Sat. 11am-9pm to taste some of their awesome blends or check them out online at www.amarillo.dvinewineusa.com or on Facebook under D’Vine Wine Amarillo. You can also reach them by phone at 806-467-WINE (9463).

THURSDAY APRIL 811:30 AMDOWNTOWN WOMEN’S CENTER LUNCHEONAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/HERITAGE ROOM

FRIDAY APRIL 910:00AM-7:00PMJUST BETWEEN FRIENDS TRADE SHOWAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/REGENCY ROOM

8:00 PMWTAMU SHOWCASEAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/AUDITORIUM

8:00PMCINDERELLAGLOBE NEWS CENTER$13.00-$48.00 PER PERSON

SATURDAY APRIL 108:00AM-6:30PMJUST BETWEEN FRIENDS TRADE SHOWAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/REGENCY ROOM

9:00AM-6:00PMHEALTHY KIDS DAYAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/N. EXHIBIT HALL

10:00AM-12:00PMSECOND SATURDAYBACKYARD HABITATSWILDCAT BLUFF NATURE CENTER$3.00 ADULTS/$2.00 SENIORS & CHILDREN

10:00AM- 10:00PMTANTALIZING TABLES TRADE SHOW

AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/HERITAGE ROOM

3:00PMCINDERELLAGLOBE NEWS CENTER$13.00-$48.00 PER PERSON

7:05PMAMARILLO VENOM VSCORPUS CHRISTY HAM-MERHEADSAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER COLISEUM$14.00-$28.00 PER PERSON

8:00PMCINDERELLAGLOBE NEWS CENTER$13.00-$48.00 PER PERSON

SUNDAY APRIL 1112:00PM-3:00PMJUST BETWEEN FRIENDS TRADE SHOWAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/REGENCY ROOM

TUESDAY APRIL 1310:00AM-4:00PMJOB FAIRAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/N. EXHIBIT HALL

THURSDAY APRIL 156:00PM-9:00PMTHIRD THURSDAY ART EVENTAMARILLO MUSEUM OF ARTFREE TO ATTEND

FRIDAY APRIL 167:00PMDIOCESE OF AMARILLO RALLYAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/HERITAGE ROOM

8:00PMAMARILLO SYMPHONY“DISCOVER FAMILY”GLOBE NEWS CENTER

SATURDAY APRIL 178:00AM-10:30PMDIOCESE OF AMARILLO

RALLYAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/HERITAGE ROOM

10:00AM-2:00PMEARTH FEST

WILDCAT BLUFF NATURE CENTERFREE TO ATTEND

8:00PMAMARILLO

SYMPHONY“DISCOVER

FAMILY”GLOBE NEWS CENTER

SUNDAY APRIL 183:00PMAMARILLO YOUTH CHOIR SPRING CONCERTGLOBE NEWS CENTER

8:00PMAMARILLO SYMPHONY“DISCOVER FAMILY’GLOBE NEWS CENTER

April 2010

AS CENTERPER PERSON

VENOM VSRISTY HAM-

CIVIC LISEUMPER

AS

W

SATURDAY APRIL 178:00AM-10:30PMDIOCESE OF AMARI

RALLYAMARILLO CIVICCENTER/HERITAROOM

10:00AM-2:00PEARTH FEST

WILDCAT BLUFNATURE CENTFREE TO ATTE

8:00PMAMARILLO

SYMPHO“DISC

FAMGLNECE

MONDAY APRIL 199:00AM, 10:15AM, 11:00AMWEEK OF THE CHILDHANDS ON PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN PANHANDLE PLAINS HISTORICAL MUSEUMCALL 651-2258 TO REGISTER

THURSDAY APRIL 227:30PMMIRANDA LAMBERT & CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEEDAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/COLISEUM$30.00 & $35.00 PER PERSON

FRIDAY APRIL 2311:00AMBEST OF TEXAS LUNCHEON$30.00 FOR LUNCH/ $20.00 FOR SPEAKER ONLY

6:00PM-8:00PM20TH ANNIVERSARY COORS COWBOY CLUB$50.00 PER PERSON INCLUDES BEST OF TEXAS GALA

8:00PMTHE BEST OF TEXAS GALAREX BAXTER BUILDING$30.00 IN ADVANCE/ $40.00 @ DOOR

SATURDAY APRIL 2410:00AM-12:00PMVEGETABLE GARDENING CLASSAMARILLO BOTANICAL GARDENSCALL OFFICE FOR MORE INFO

12:00PM-4:00PMBEST OF TEXAS“TOUCH A TRUCK”JOHN STIFF PARK

7:00PMBOB AND TOM COMEDY STARSGLOBE NEWS CENTER$32.50 PER PERSON

7:05PMAMARILLO VENOM VS

COLORADO ICEAMARILLO CIVIC CENTER

COLISEUM$14.00-$28.00 PER PERSON

TUESDAY APRIL 277:30PMBROADWAY SHOW “RAIN- A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES”AMARILLO CIVIC CENTERAUDITORIUM

WEDNESDAY APRIL 287:30PMBROADWAY SHOW “RAIN- A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES”AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/AUDITORIUM

7:30PMTRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA“BEETHOVEN’S LAST NIGHT 2010”AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER/COLISEUM$50.50 PER PERSON

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CHURCH$18.00 PER PERSON

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AMCOL

$14.00

Our children are the future. It's our responsibility to teach kids what they need to know to save this planet, not only for themselves and their children, but also for many generations to come.

In 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin promoted this belief of his by creating the first Earth Day. On April 22, 1970, approximately 20 million people nationwide attended the first Earth Day celebrations, bringing to light the fact that this planet’s resources are finite and will not last forever. The day was meant as a catalyst of our responsibility to preserve and protect what Mother Earth has given us.

Why is it important to teach kids about Earth Day?Our children are the future, and the fate of this planet is not only in our hands, but in theirs too. Once we’ve used up and destroyed the resources of our Earth, there’s no turning back. Teaching kids the message of Earth Day is the legacy we leave for all mankind. The most important thing for kids to know is that Earth Day is not one day of celebrating by creating more garbage, but instead a reminder of what we should be doing all year long. As adults, it’s our job to teach them this. Believe it or not, kids do listen and learn from us.

Learning through exampleFirst and foremost, kids learn through example. They need to see how protecting and preserving the Earth is important to us, not just by our words, but by our actions as well. The following are some easy ways we can teach kids the significance of Earth Day and saving our planet through our own actions:

Not littering the environmentTaking recyclable materials to a recycling center Turning out lights when not in useNot wasting waterReducing fuel emissions by walking whenever possibleProgram the thermostat to be more energy efficient

Encourage your kids to follow your examples in preserv-ing the Earth. Remember to not only do these things, but also talk about why these Earth-saving practices are important. Kids will follow in your footsteps once they understand the value in what they’re doing.

Environmental awarenessIt’s our responsibility to help kids become aware of the environmental fragility of this planet. Whenever possible, use various means to teach kids about ecology and species extinction. Help them to understand that what they do can

make a difference. Look for teaching opportunities through the

following:

The future is now

TV programs: A couple of really good ones are Sundance Channel’s Big Ideas for a Small Planet and National Geographic’s Strange Days on Planet Earth.

Magazines: National Geographic frequently covers ecology topics. Consider a subscription to National Geographic KIDS magazine for younger kids.

Internet sources: You can Google any topic on the environment for a wealth of information and pictures. Go to YouTube for excellent, informa-tive online environmental videos for all age levels.

Speakers at the local zoo, wildlife preserves, and botanical garden are a great source of eco-information.

Share eco-facts: Did you know you waste up to 5 gallons of water each time you leave the water running while brushing your teeth? Wow! That’s a lot of waste!

Most of all – TALK ABOUT IT! Discussions about the ecology at the dinner table or in the car

will let kids know this is a topic important to you. For this reason, it will become important to them too.

Teach kids how to give back to Mother Earth.Take advantage of the many family volunteer opportunities that stress the importance of giving back to the community and our planet. Family volunteer projects create valuable bonding time and, at the same time, teach kids about environ-mental concerns. Some activities to consider are:

Clean up litter in your communityParticipate in fundraisers for ecology and animal projectsPlant a tree to beautify your neighborhoodDonate time at the local recycle centerAdopt a road for trash pick-upFind opportunities to share environmental aware-ness with others Earth Day is only one day a year. Saving our planet for our own kids, and future genera-tions, is a full time job. Let’s start by teaching kids the significance of the April 22nd Earth Day, and then rolling up our sleeves and getting to work!

Are your friends and family allergic to your cat? Here are some ways to improve the situation - without having to give your cat away.

Itchy eyes, itchy noses and sneezing are never pleasant. And when it's because of a cat, well… that’s worst of all. If you are allergic to cats and decide to get one, then you’ll be happy to learn most people tend to build up a tolerance to the allergens found in the cat’s dander and saliva. There are also specific regimens allergic people can follow, as well as medication to help alleviate their symptoms.

But if one of your loved ones is allergic to cats and they are not helped by medication, what can you do? Other than replacing your loved ones (this is not usually recommended), there are some ways to reduce the effects of allergens in your home.

Clean, clean, clean. People don’t understand how much of a difference a cat's daily grooming and a thorough house sweeping can make. Keep the surfaces and floors as fur-free as possible, and the reactions to the cat’s allergens should also diminish. Floors and carpets can especially be a haven for the cat's hair and dander, so vacuum them often and take the rugs out for a cleaning -- preferably more than once every spring.

Another way to reduce the effect of cat allergens is to try (emphasis on"try") and bathe the cat every four to six weeks using a cat shampoo. This will help remove the dander buildup, extra hair, and saliva, which contains a natural deodorant and cleansing agent that causes aller-gic reactions. Rinsing the cat is important and may prove difficult, as most cats don't like being in water. Combine that with its claws and agility, and you may be in some emergency room type of trouble. But seriously, have a trusted friend or family member sponge bathe the cat while you hold it down.

An air purifier can sometimes be a great weapon against allergens. It will help remove impurities from the envi-ronment and although more expensive, a commercial purifier usually works better than a regular one. Rou-tinely brushing the cat's hair will also reduce the amount of fur (and thus dander) floating in the air.

While not always practical, going to a doctor for an allergic exam can be advantageous. As there are many household items, which can initiate an allergic reaction, this test will help sort out the underlying cause(s). It is more of a trial and error type of test, but can work wonders at determining the allergic agents quickly.

Using a combination of these methods -- or even all of them -- should greatly reduce the amount of allergens in the air, and hopefully make your home a sniffles-free zone. Good luck. Hope-fully you and your family will be able to hug and kiss your kitty cat soon.

How to fight cat allergies

Do you have unexpected company coming over this weekend? Are you hosting an impromptu party? And have no time to whip your house into tip top shape? No problem! Check out these quick and simple tips to get a clean home in 30 minutes.

Declutter (4 minutes) Pass through key rooms with a basket, picking up the following:Catalogs, bills, and newspapers Pets’ toys Handbags and shoes Sports equipmentStray DVDs Dirty laundry

Wipe Down (10 minutes)Spray an all-purpose cleaner on your kitchen countertop and wipe away grime. Remove fingerprints from stainless steel surfaces using a glass cleaner. Wipe down the dining table (if you have hardwood, just remove dust with a damp rag or microfiber cloth). Spray the bathroom sink, vanity, and counters with an all-purpose disinfectant. Wipe down the outer edge of the tub (it’s something all guests will see) and pull the curtain or shower door closed. Clean the mirror with vinegar and wipe with newsprint (it works). Spritz all outside surfaces of the toilet with disinfectant before moving inside. Lift the toilet seat lid and spray cleaner on the top and bottom, then squeeze bowl cleaner under the rim. Scrub under the rim and inside the bowl. Flush.

Fake a Clean Home in

30 Minutes!

Swiff (5 minutes)Swiff (a quick dusting) your coffee table after spraying it with an all-purpose cleaner. Next, swiff the TV (including the screen), entertainment center, frames and collectibles. Then swiff the floors in the kitchen, living room, and bathroom.

Empty (2 minutes) Clear out the sink and put dishes into the dishwasher. Empty the wastepaper basket. Take out the trash.

Restock (4 minutes)Put out fresh hand towels, a box of tissues, extra TP, air freshener, and soap. Do a chair count and haul out the extras. Replenish your table with fresh placemats if there are stains on the current set. Fill the napkin holder. Display (4 minutes)Take out serving dishes and wine glasses (check for smudge spots). Fluff and arrange throw pillows and couch cushions. Make an instant centerpiece by throwing fruit into a decorative bowl. Dim the lights and light candles. Nothing hides cleaning imperfec-tions better.

Put on your game face. People are at the door!

Survivor is one of television's most popular reality shows, and it's watched by millions of people every week. To celebrate your love of the show, you can throw a Survivor-themed party for your tribe of friends, and watch the drama unfold together. Follow these steps to set the Survivor mood in your house, and throw a party your guests will remember for a long time.

Create and mail invitations that fit the Survivor theme. You might consider writing the word "Survivor" on the envelope followed by your city, street name or company name, depending on the makeup of your guest list. Add further embellishment in the form of palm trees, torches, sand and water to fit the tropical island feel of Survivor.

Decorate your house using an island theme. Line your walkway with luminaries or oil-burning torches. Create or buy an immunity idol or immunity necklace and set it in a prominent place in your living room. Place real or artificial palm fronds throughout your living room. Scatter seashells on tables or on your mantle.

Encourage your guests to dress according to the Survivor theme. Options include Caribbean shirts and shorts, beach dresses or sarongs and sandals or flip-flops

.Serve tropical food, including fresh fruits such as

pineapple, mangoes, cantaloupe and watermelon. Add some fish-based appetizers, including shrimp cocktail and

small crab cakes. You could also offer barbecue chicken or ribs.

Mix pina coladas and serve them inside coconuts with small party favor umbrellas as accents.

Play Caribbean music until it's time for the Survivor Party to start. Steel drum band music will help to set the mood.

Divide your party guests into two tribes who will participate in competitions, and pass out color-coded bandannas to each tribe member. You can also pass out Survivor buffs to each tribe.

Run "immunity" challenges with the two tribes competing against each other. These can include a gummy fish-eating competition, a Survivor trivia contest, a scavenger hunt in

your backyard for objects you've hidden and a limbo contest are all fun options.

Offer the tribe with the most wins in the challenges a

Survivor-themed prize, such as shell necklaces or a

CD of tropical music

It's probably no coincidence that the 36 numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666, the fabled "number of the beast," if you buy into that kind of thing. Like Beelzebub himself, roulette offers the gambler no quarter; if he is bold enough to place a bet; he is at the mercy of luck, chance, fortune, or fate -- all equally unflappable taskmasters. And unlike Johnny the fiddler in the famous Charlie Daniels song, skill or talent will get you mostly nowhere. This does not, however, prevent you from having a great time for an hour or so when you sidle up to a roulette table.

The history of rouletteThe origins of roulette, French for "small wheel", are lost to time, but some legends trace it back to Tibetan monks while others, to a famous French mathematician in search of perpetual motion. At the very least, the game you see today can be traced back to 18th-century France; while French immigrants would later introduce it to North America.

Roulette is hugely popular among gamblers worldwide because it's both thrilling and easy. On the flipside, casinos love it because the odds heavily favor the house, and because it is void of any potential betting system to beat it. Roulette rulesRoulette is very easy to play: You have a table featuring 36 red and black numbers, two green boxes marked with 0 and 00 and 12 additional betting boxes. Next to it is a wheel, spinning constantly under the attendant's hand, featuring 38 slots numbered 0, 00 and 1 through 36.

To play, you first place a bet on a desired box, then an ivory ball is spun around the outer rim of the roulette wheel. If the ivory ball lands in the slot corresponding to your box, you win. Your dealer, known officially as a Croupier (CROOP-ee-ay) thanks to the game's French origins, places a marker or "dolly" on the table number corresponding to where the ball stopped.

Before you playFirst, accept the fact that roulette is a game of random, unpredictable outcomes -- lacking any sure-fire system for winning. Betting systems can't exist here and never will, so do not buy one. Improve your odds by avoiding dead tables. The more spins the house can manage per hour, the better they do; they want to lay your cash bare to their odds as often and as long as possible. A crowded table takes longer to play, pay, cash out, and clear, keeping your money with you that much longer. Additionally, the more time you spend at a table, the more credit your comp card accrues.

How To PlayRoulette

How to playBegin by finding the right table. Every table has minimum and maximum bet limits in place, both for the house's purposes and, more importantly, for yours. Remember that a $10 minimum table means that every bet you place must be at least $10; you can't split that sum across two or three bets.

Next, buy yourself in. Roulette is unique at the casino in that it uses its own chips, all applicable to that particular table only. Approach the Croupier and say, "I'd like a color, please," and he'll swap out your cash with chips in a color exclusive to you. This allows for multiple bets from various players to stack up in the same box without any confusion. For this reason, even if all the chairs are occupied at a table, you can still play.

Finally, place your bet, but always listen to your Croupier; he's your emcee and will indicate when you can and when you can't bet.

What are the odds?The odds at roulette are best explored through the bets available to the player along with their respective payouts, broken down into two groups: inside and outside. These bets presuppose you're facing the table lengthwise, with the numbers facing left to right.

First, a quick payout primer: Let's say you bet $10 on an 8-to-1 payout and you win. You keep your original $10 and the house pays you another $80. In other words, they'll pay you $8 for every $1 you bet.

Inside bets- Inside bets are also called "layout bets" because they take place within the "layout" (i.e. the numbers 1 through 36).

Straight-Up bet: Place your chips on any single number between 1 and 36. Payout: 35-to-1. A true longshot, but if you've got a lucky number, go for it.

Split bet: Place your chips on the line separating two numbers. Payout: 17-to-1.

Row bet: Place your chips on the horizontal line dividing the inside and outside boxes, in front of any vertical row of three sequential numbers. Payout: 11-to-1.

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Corner bet: Place your chips on the corner intersecting four numbers. Payout: 8-to-1.

Basket bet: Place your chips at the lower intersection of the 0 and the 1. You're playing five numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Payout: 6-to-1. Without going into the actual ratios, take my word that this bet features roulette's worst mathematical odds. Flash your crucifix at this sucker bet.

Double Street bet: This is similar to a row bet, except now you're playing two rows of six sequential numbers. Place your chips on the vertical line intersecting two rows, straddling the horizontal line dividing the inside and outside boxes. Payout: 5-to-1.

Outside bets- Outside bets are named as such because they take place in the boxes outside the "layout." Note the upgrade in your odds -- and the diminished payout.

Dozens bet: The table features three outside boxes labeled "1st 12," "2nd 12" and "3rd 12" directly underneath the layout. When you place a bet within one of these boxes, you're simply betting on any of those 12 numbers coming up. Payout: 2-to-1.

Column bet: This bet, found at the far right end of the table, features three boxes labeled "2:1." Placing a bet in these boxes indicates you're betting that any of the 12 numbers above that box will come up. Payout: 2-to-1.

Red/Black bet: Place your chips into the box with the red or black diamond. Payout: 1-to-1. A simple doubling of your money.

Even bet: Place your chips into the boxes labeled "Odd" or "Even." Payout: 1-to-1.

Low/High bet: Place your chips in one of the boxes labeled "1-18" or "19-36." Payout: 1-to-1.

Roulette isn't for everyone. Some gamblers won't play a game that's manifestly unencumbered by exploitable holes. But if you're in the mood for a thrill and you think Lady Luck just flashed you a wink, have a seat and place your bets. That frenzied, triumphant shout you sometimes hear in casinos just might be yours City Magazine -28

Your old spring break favorite is good for a lot more than shots.

What is tequila, exactly? Tequila is made by fermenting and distilling the juice of the blue agave plant (which takes between 8 and 11 years to mature). To earn the name, tequila must be made in one of five specific regions of Mexico (the most widely known is the state of Jalisco, which is where the town of Tequila is located and where 90 percent of tequilas come from) accord-ing to very specific standards regulated by the Mexican government.

What’s the difference between cheap tequila and the good stuff? Quality tequila is made from 100-percent agave. Anything less is considered a mixto, a mix of agave and sugar (it must be at least 51-percent agave to be called tequila). The high-end spirit might be high-priced, but you really will be able to taste the differ-ence. Seriously.

Is drinking bad tequila more likely to result in a bad hangover? In a word, yes. It often contains a higher percentage of methanol, a by-product of the tequila-making process, but quality tequila-makers distill it out. To keep from feeling like Senor Frog is actually sitting on your head, drink quality 100-percent agave tequila. And, of course, drink moderately.

4 Tequila Myths – Busted

The agave plant is a cactus.It’s actually a type of succulent plant related to the lily and amaryllis families, with spiky leaves and a juicy interior (like a pineapple).

Tequila comes with a worm. True tequila never contains a worm at the bottom, although bottles of mezcal often have a worm (actually a larva). It’s not there to ick you out; worms feast on the agave plant, and when they die, they taste like agave and can enhance the flavor of the liquor.

“Silver” and “Gold” tequilas are superior. Although some brands slap these labels on their bottles to justify higher prices, silver tequila is simply another name for blanco (colorless, unaged tequila). Gold tequila is usually clear and unaged but with added coloring.

You need salt and lemons.You shouldn’t drink reposado (aged at least two months or as long as a year) or anejo (aged longer than one year and as many as 10) tequila that way. But since blanco tequila has more bite, the salt and lime or lemon combo will help you enjoy the flavors. Regardless, tequila should really be sipped, not shot.

Tequila!

Amarillo’s

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