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“A Salesman! – Reflection On My Life” by Larry Dickman as an insightful memoir illustrating the life of an accomplished salesman. Dickman reflects on the hardships that he faced throughout his life as well as the many successes that he accomplished in his career.
“Dandelions and Roses: A Contemporary Persian Romance” by Parand Alavi is an imaginative story with real life influences that illustrates the devasting tragedies of living through the horrendous uprising in Iraq. Alavi introduces a highly respected Kurdish family of low income that go through brutal circumstances that eventually causes them to seek safety. Readers will get a glimpse into the eternal love a mother has for her children portrayed by heroic Ameneh and a devastating act of violence and difficult cultural transition depicted through Ameneh’s daughter, Rozhan, that leads her to a romance of a lifetime.
Life and business coach Glenn Cossar has published his most recent self-help book: “From Fear to Gratitude: Affirmations to Build a Positive Future and Eliminate Those Negative Thoughts.” Developed for readers who want to work on personal development, such as improving their lives and overcoming loneliness and isolation, “From Fear to Gratitude” presents easy to follow steps for readers to reach a state of gratitude. By believing in themselves, planning to act and carrying out these actions, readers will feel empowered and begin making the necessary changes in their lives.
“Skills That Pills Can’t Give You” by Judy Cook, MD is an insightful guidebook about holistically healing mental disease rather than using medication to temporarily fix the issue. The author is a retired psychiatrist who has seen, throughout her career, an increase in prescribing drugs rather than therapy and an increase in overdosages and mental issues. She believes that there are better ways to heal mental disease than through prescription drug use and that prescription drugs can be used sparingly.
There are hundreds of options for New Year’s Eve – from Embassy-themed soirées, black-tie hotel ballrooms balls, sit-down pre-fixe all-you-can-hog, to plain and simple microwaveable celebrations in your PJs at home.
But when it comes to picking the best venue, ambience, budget, parking, dose of culture, and a true red carpet, nobody could beat the evening hosted by the Kennedy Center.
Our evening, generously hosted by Sam the GM of the rooftop restaurant and Rachael Stambaugh of the Kennedy Center, started with a richly-paired 3 course menu dinner followed by an amazing tribute to Aretha Franklin, a roarous sell-out crowd in tow.
Following the glowing performance, the evening spilled into the grand foyer where an exclusive collection of local gliterati filed in to live bands performing past three balloon drop making dressing to the hilt yet another memorable exercise reminding everyone that over-extended, over-priced libations elsewhere was not the only way to ring in a new century in a posh, affordable and refined way and that we were in the right place at the right time. The complimentary professional photo booths set up as guests were departing was the perfect goodie bag gift one could ever receive and cherish.
We’d like to thank you for subscribing to our newsletters. Some of you joined by email, some by submitting your business card at an event we were covering, and others by subscribing on our website. No matter how you found us, we appreciate you! We hope you find our information useful in your planning.
This time of year we get a bit nostalgic. Celebrating over twenty years in existence, Party Digest has emerged as an alternative to elitist society and lifestyle publications that only further an establishment view. Here’s a look at our history, including snapshots of what our site has looked like at various times over the years:
Our website and e-mail newsletters list events happening in the metropolitan areas that would be of an interest to an everyday party-goer. We also publish product reviews and trending news of interest.
In this special New Years post, we’d like to introduce you to our team.
Lakhinder Jit Singh Vohra, M.S.J. is a Rotary Foundation scholar who came to the United States on a full scholarship after being accepted as a graduate student of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He graduated in 1990 and was awarded a fellowship from the India Abroad Newspaper Foundation.
He has worked as a journalist for national publications such as Indian Express in New Delhi, India and Washingtonian magazine and Examiner.com.
Lakhinder wrote a book last year:
Turn Your Life Around in 30 Days: A Spiritual Practice & Primer for Today’s Generation.
Click the image to see it on Amazon.
Chuck Gregory is the developer and webmaster for Party Digest. He’s responsible for product reviews, and also occasionally posts events and other items for the Fort Lauderdale area where he lives with his wife Lorraine.
Chuck’s website is cwgservices.com. He also publishes books as CWG Press (cwgpress.com) and hosts an internet radio show, The New American Dream (newdream.us).
Artist and Jet-Set Entrepreneur Dena Lyons shared her Diaries as a special feature to Party Digest in 2015. We enjoyed her intriguing depictions of her adventures.
See her columns here.
Business Student. Musician. Fashion spectator.
Monika Majewska has an international background and we are pleased to have her as our Party Digest correspondent for Paris. She covers events in and near that beautiful city and you’ll see her contributions here.
Ashley Brown is our Party Digest correspondent for Philadelphia. She covers events in the Philadelphia area and you’ll see her contributions here.
Brittany Bell is our Party Digest correspondent for Washingon, D.C. She covers events in the D.C. area and you’ll see her contributions here.
Lynn Osborne-Simmons is a native of Chicago, and we are pleased to have her as our Party Digest correspondent for Chicago.
She covers events in the Chicago area and you’ll see her contributions here.
Ohza Mimosas Launches Online Ordering and Shipping to Over 25 States
(Cambridge, MA) Ohza Mimosas, the ready-to-drink, reinvented mimosa in a can founded by a 25-year-old Massachusetts entrepreneur, has officially launched online ordering and shipping to 29 US states.
Ohza was previously only available at 750+ independent and local retailers including Whole Foods, Shaw’s, Star Market, Roche Brothers, BJ’s, Kappy’s, and BevMax in MA, ME, RI, and CT. Now, those located in the 29 available states can have 6-packs of Ohza’s mimosas shipped right to their doorstep for $14.59 + shipping, or $13.99 for 4 or more. Shipping costs vary and are calculated at checkout.
Redefining the ready-to-drink beverage, Ohza’s gluten free mimosas have the calorie count of a hard seltzer, but the bold punch of a serious cocktail – all while containing no added sugar, real juice, no artificial flavors, 5% alcohol for all day sip-ability, and a clean nutrition label. Crafted with premium Brut sparkling wine from the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York and real orange juice, one 6-pack of Ohzas is equal to 9 mimosa flutes, or 2 bottles of bubbly and 1/2 a juice carton.
Ohza was founded by 25-year-old Ryan Ayotte after attempting to mix mimosas with his friends on a tippy boat off of Cape Cod, MA. The result? A mess. From making a mess on the high seas, to lugging bottles, cartons, and cups to the beach – he knew there had to be an easier way. Based in Cambridge, MA, Ohza is set out to bring a taste of brunch wherever you wander using quality ingredients, sustainable cans, and always supplying a good time.
Ring in the new year (and a new decade) at the Kennedy Center New Year’s Eve Party in the Grand Foyer. Admission to this event is FREE with your ticket to a December 31 evening paid Kennedy Center event (New Year’s Eve at the Kennedy Center: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin, Come From Away, My Fair Lady, A Jazz New Year’s Eve) or with your receipt from a December 31 dinner at the Roof Terrace Restaurant. The night is packed with festive dancing to performances by Brianna Thomas and Zach Cutler and the D.C. Soul Allstars, plus champagne bars, photo booth, a countdown to midnight, a big balloon drop, and more!
Heralded by the Wall Street Journal as the best young straight-ahead jazz singer of the new generation, Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead alum Brianna Thomas dazzles audiences with arrangements of old favorites and original compositions. She performs at 6 p.m. on the Millennium Stage and again at 10:30 p.m. Wear your dance shoes to join Zach Cutler and the D.C. Soul Allstars for sets at 9:45 & 11:30 p.m. Cutler is known around D.C. for his Trifling Tuesday and Misbehavin Monday musical jams, and will inspire you to groove with your favorite people into the New Year.
The International Saxophone Symposium, hosted by the United States Navy Band, is held each year in early January. The two-day event, first hosted by the Navy Band in 1978, features a mix of performances, masterclasses and lectures designed for musicians of all ages.
The symposium highlights the prominence of the saxophone in both classical and jazz literature through the two marquee concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, which feature a number of guest artists. Traditionally, Friday night’s concert presents the U.S. Navy Concert Band with a mixture of band pieces and classically-oriented saxophone solos. In previous years, soloists with the Concert Band have included Vincent David, Claude Delangle, Jean-Yves Fourmeau, Timothy McAllister, Otis Murphy, Quatuor Habanera, Donald Sinta and many others.
Saturday night’s concert presents the Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble and guest soloists in an evening of big band and jazz music. Past soloists with the Commodores have included Eddie Daniels, Branford Marsalis, Donny McCaslin, Chris Potter and Grover Washington Jr.
In 2003, the Navy Band established the symposium’s College Quartet Series as a way to feature college and university performers. Throughout the symposium, student quartets are featured in their own recitals. Additionally, the High School Honors Recital was established in 2015 to provide an opportunity for high school-aged saxophonists to perform at the event.
The U.S. Navy Band, based in Washington, D.C., is the Navy’s premier musical organization. Staffed with some of the finest musicians in the nation and performing 1,700 times each year, the band represents Sailors deployed around the world and around the clock.
The secret behind these delicious adult beverages? Surprising mixers that are surprisingly good for you
They’re cozy, they’re delightfully tasty, and they’re definitely the most unique cocktails you’ll mix this season. Say “cheers!” to the brilliant folks at KAYCO (www.kayco.com), who came up with a trio of toast-worthy mixed drinks starring today’s trendiest beverages – watermelon juice and beet juice.
Wait – did we just say watermelon juice and beet juice? Well, consider today’s unquenchable consumer demand for clean, healthy, and flavorful new refreshment options. Wonder Melon and Beetology have become the “it” drinks when it comes to 100% all-natural superfoods. And they’re flying off the shelves.
Available in a selection of tantalizing varieties, these juice-powered beverages tickle everyone’s taste buds while delivering a powerhouse of nutrients. They’re sensational “straight up” or with ice. So why not push the envelope into cocktail territory?
This holiday season, go ahead and punch up your craft cocktail menu with the Spiced Wonder Melon Vodka Punch, raise a glass (and eyebrows) with the Whiskey Beet Cocktail, or warm up a nippy night with the Beetology Berry Sangria. See recipes below.
All Beetology and Wonder Melon products are cold-pressed, 100% non-GMO, U.S.D.A. Certified Organic, and Certified Fair Trade. They are non-soy, non-dairy, and certified kosher, and contain no preservatives, additives, sweeteners, artificial colors, or flavors.
Check out WonderMelonjuice.com and Beetology.com for store locators and additional product information.
Cheers – To your health!
Beetology Berry Sangria
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh blackberries
1 orange, sliced
1 cup pomegranate arils (seeds)
½ cup brandy, rum, vodka (optional)
1 (8.75 oz.) bottle Beetology (Beet + Berry, Beet + Cherry, or Beet + Tropical Fruit recommended)
1 bottle red wine
Unflavored club soda or seltzer
Fresh thyme to garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Add the blackberries, orange slices, and pomegranate arils to a large pitcher. Add the brandy/rum/or vodka (optional) and Beetology juice and gently muddle to extract the flavors of the fruit into the juice and alcohol.
Pour the red wine into the pitcher and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
When ready to serve, fill a glass ¾-way full with sangria. Top off each glass with bubbly water, if desired. Garnish with fresh thyme, if desired.
Whiskey Beet Cocktail
Ingredients:
¼ cup pomegranate arils (seeds)
¼ cup fresh cranberries
2 Tbsp. simple syrup (or honey)
4 oz. Beetology Beet+Ginger+Honey Juice
4 oz. Whiskey
Ice
Tonic water
Instructions:
Muddle the pomegranate arils, cranberries, simple syrup (or honey), and beet juice in a cocktail shaker.
Add whiskey to the shaker and fill with ice. Shake well.
Fill two Old Fashioned glasses with ice and strain the chilled cocktail into each glass, dividing equally between the two.
Top each drink with tonic water. Serve garnished with sliced lemon and additional fresh cranberries and pomegranate arils, if desired.
Spiced Wonder Melon Vodka Punch
Ingredients:
½ cup vodka
1 lime, juiced
2 cups Wonder Melon, Lemon-Cayenne flavor
1 cup lemon sparkling water
4 cinnamon sticks
Lime and lemon slices
Instructions:
Combine the vodka, lime juice, and Wonder Melon in a pitcher.
Divide between 4 glasses and top each glass with 2 ounces of sparkling water.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick, lemon, and lime slices.
The adult board game “The Maury Show: You Are Not The Father,” based on the popular daytime talk show, “Maury” hosted by Maury Povich, is available on Amazon.
The show is known for its compelling relationship drama, family issues, infidelity, and signature paternity tests. “The Maury Game: You Are Not The Father” will allow players to clear their name, “Maury” style, with this hilarious party game for adults. The game challenges players to prove their nonpaternity through a series of outrageous accusations and laugh-out-loud arguments. At the end, a paternity test is “performed” and the “results” lie in each player’s Test Results envelope. Play your cards right to increase your odds of innocence and to turn the “Maury” audience against your competitors before the big reveal. Only one will be the father — don’t let it be you!
“‘You Are Not The Father’ celebrates our outrageous guests and the absurd excuses they use on our paternity episodes,” said Povich. “The game is fun, funny, and the best part is, there are no real babies involved.”
“You don’t have to be familiar with the paternity tests on ‘Maury’ to have a great time playing this game,” said Paul Faulhaber, Executive Producer of ‘Maury.’ “As for our die-hard fans, they are going to absolutely love it!”
“Maury” is executive produced by Paul Faulhaber. “Maury” is distributed in national syndication by NBCUniversal Television Distribution and produced by Stamford Media Center Productions, the same production team behind successful NBCU talk shows including “The Steve Wilkos Show,” “The Jerry Springer Show,” and the new “Judge Jerry.”
