The real action in Iowa was always going to be among the wingiest of the wingnuts. Now, as we round the far turn and head for home or The Home, as it were it looks like the bumping and jostling among the various pious non-Romneys is going to be quite a show. N. Leroy Gingrich, Definer Of Civilizations Rules, is massaging expectations like a $25-a-trick lady in an downtown alley in Seoul. Yes, you can survive a fifth-place finish in Iowa in the sense that nobody is going to kill you over it, unless Callistas death-ray eyes catch you unawares. But, as a candidate, fifth-place in Iowa means you should start accepting those lecture offers again, and very soon. And speaking of eyes, it looks like Michele Bachmanns campaign is running through staffers again, and she says its because Ron Paul dug up some of the gold hes got buried in his backyard and has been spreading it around. Paul, meanwhile,would like Israel to know that he is very much in favor of its continued existence, all earlier reports to the contrary. What does this get him? Being called crazy by Rick Santorum, who looks like he might be peaking at just the right time to get himself elected Mullah Of The Corncrib. Jon Huntsman has abandoned Crazytown entirely, decamping to New Hampshire, which is merely part of the Greater Crazytown Metropolitan Area.

Which leaves us with Willard Romney, a largely non-corporeal presence in the campaign who may, at this point, by virtue of his heavy investments, own 50 percent of every local television station in Iowa. Romneys essential strength as a candidate is that he has spent the last few years putting together an actual campaign. I have to admit to being caught a little flatfooted by the fact that very few of the other contenders had decided to do so. Pauls effort always has been a cult of personality. Bachmann looked for a moment like she had some idea of how to do it, but her senior staff seems to spend an inordinate amount of time yelling Geronimo! and groping for a ripcord. Rick Perrys campaign fell apart because its candidate was Rick Perry, and now consists mainly of a pile of bank statements, and neither he nor Gingrich could even get it together enough to get on the ballot in Virginia. One thing I always thought you could give the Republicans: they were organizing fools. The trains always ran on time, even though some of them pretty plainly had jumped their tracks. Now, though, the loopy ideas are mirrored very closely by an equally loopy sense of how you run for office. Its like Herman Cain stayed in the race just long enough to give everyone a terrible case of incompetence. In this mess, Romneys the only one of them who seems to have thought the 2012 presidential campaign through longer than the next 20 minutes.

So, in order to bring some sense of discipline to the chaos, I thought we all might start ourselves a new conspiracy theory, taking as our model the birther whackaloons who have spent so much time and mental energy concocting reasons why Barack Obama was born in Kenya, Malaysia, or the Planet Moooslim. You may have heard that Willard is refusing to release his tax records, something every serious presidential candidate has done for decades now. I propose that we organize a group we might as well call The 1040ers, and start calling radio programs with suggestions as to whats really in those records that Willard refuses to release. What does he have to hide? What sordid little interludes under the stars in France? What crazy nights in Salt Lake City with the delegations from Sweden and Norway, performing the Nordic Combined? (If you know what I mean, and I think you do.) How many whiskey-drenched bacchanals in the Massachusetts State House with the Governors Council? (Its a purely vestigial home for the walking political dead, but great fun at parties, I hear.) Perhaps theres a little something-something in those returns about… individual mandates? Hmmmmm? What we do know is that those returns will prove conclusively that Willard was once governor of Massachusetts, something he has been unwilling to admit unequivocally over the six years hes been running for president. (The most hell say is that, once, he was Governor of All The Good Stuff in Massachusetts.) I think that might kill him in South Carolina.

As Our Lady Of The Dolphins, Peggy Noonan, once put it, is it irresponsible to speculate? Its irresponsible not to. So add your own lurid imaginings in the comments and Ill try and make sure they get passed along to the other folks in the clown car before I land in Des Moines next week. At the very least, they all could use a diversion. Running for president is harrrrrrrd.

LARCHMONT, NY — Carl Spadt spent quality time with his daughter Catherine at the Westchester County Center, where the Mamaroneck High School boys basketball team was one of six to compete in the Boys Slam Dunk Challenge.

The Tigers beat Brewster 52-43 Dec. 28, but Sofia, 6, was there to see the girls high school basketball teams play during her winter break.

Shes a big basketball fan, said Spadt, as his daughter nodded in agreement.

The local libraries also helped Spadt keep his daughter busy during the full week off from school. Like Catherine, Sofia Rosenbaum, 6, has spent a lot of time this week attending library events, which her father ReubenRosenbaum has taken full advantage of.

As a father, youre always in search of events, otherwise they climb up the walls, said Rosenbaum, a Larchmont resident. We have a week without school, so we have to check all the libraries.

The Mamaroneck Librarys regular childrens programs – which include Roots and Shoots and the You Read to Me I’ll Read to You book group for 6 and 7-year-olds – were cancelled for the holidays. The Larchmont Library also cancelled some of its regular programs, but filled those times with special events. Friday, it will have a New Years Eve Preschool Dance Party at 11 am for ages 2 through 4.

Wednesday, theRosenbaums attended the One-Man Circus, another special event at the Larchmont Library. ReubenRosenbaum watched from the back of the room, while Sofia got a close-up view of Greg Milstein, the one-man circus.

After the performance, Sofia told her father that Milstein was even funnier than he is. Rosenbaum smiled proudly, having kept his spunky daughter entertained for another day.

This library is great, it has a lot of activities, Rosenbaum said. Theres always a flier that has the upcoming events.

After the one-man circus, Spadt hinted he might take Catherine to Chuck E. Cheese, which drew a sharp head-turn and smile from his daughter.

The holiday has been good, Carl said. Were utilizing everything Westchester has to offer.

How have you spent the week with kids out of school? Comment below.

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Weve already downed one bowl game, but theres plenty left on the Big 12 slate. Heres a few fun facts and notes heading into those games, courtesy of ESPN Stats and Info.

Well kick it off with some Texas-heavy facts, considering the Holiday Bowl kicks off shortly.

PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Bring someone along for a fun-filled getaway in the sun this winter at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa. Now through February 29, 2012, the Palm Beach resort and spa is offering a special package for two.

Book the Stay Here, Fly There Package and receive as part of your offer:

Palm Beach hotel room with nightly room rates from $270

One companion airline ticket voucher for a future flight within the continental United States

$100 resort credit with minimum two-night stay; $50 each night after

Be sure promotional code P91 appears in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making your online reservation for this Palm Beach vacation, or call 1-800-721-6996 in the U.S. and ask for promotional code P91. The package must be booked by February 19th, 2012, for a minimum two-night stay anytime through February 29th, 2012.

Take advantage of great amenities this winter, including three pools, cardiovascular equipment and free weights, full-service spa, and great water activities such as jet-skiing, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling or surfing–all at your fingertips!

About Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa

Situated between Jupiter and Palm Beach on Florida’s famed Gold Coast, guests are invited to experience Marriott’s newest four-diamond Palm Beach resort – the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa. Set amidst the aquamarine waters and glistening sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, this Palm Beach hotel is where luxury meets leisure in a sleek, boutique-style atmosphere. This new Singer Island resort boasts lavish Palm Beach, Florida, hotel accommodations that feature high-end amenities, including full kitchens and washer/dryers along with breathtaking inter-coastal views. Relax and unwind when you’re surrounded by the upscale comfort that only a Marriott Palm Beach luxury hotel can provide. Delight in a beachside escape at this vibrant Palm Beach, FL, hotel, complete with an oceanic reef, two refreshing pools, Si Spa, and dining and shopping to rival any major cosmopolitan city. With an impressive array of family friendly activities, this contemporary Palm Beach oceanfront hotel has something for everyone.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 1-877-239-5610 or visit
www.marriott.com/pbisg .

SOURCE Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa

Copyright (C) 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Hes having fun and teaching his teammates in the process, but on Thursday night, Jaromir Jagr faces a hostile crowd. (AP Photo)

TURTLE RIVER STATE PARK (WDAZ-TV) – Families are still taking advantage of the nice weather at Winter Fest in Turtle River State Park.

This time of year there is usually snow, but the park is adapting to hold the winter event.

Making snow sculptures and sledding are some of the main events during Winter Fest,and snow or no snow, people are still taking part.

Its brown, grassy and not quite as smooth as it normally would be this time of year.

We walked outside and it was sunny and no snow. You just got to make due with what you got, mother of two Marylee Anderson said.

It may not be a white winter just yet, but families are still finding ways to have fun even without the snow.

Whether its making sculptures out of clay instead of snow, or sledding down a dry hill, kids like 6 year old Erron Anderson are still having fun at Turtle River State Parks 4th annual Winter Fest.

I made a cookie and a snow sculpture and sledding, 6-year-old Erron Anderson said.

Park managers considered cancelling the event, but decided to adapt to the weather instead.

We really werent expecting anything, we considered cancelling but at the same times its the only time the kids have off in between the school break and we thought, hey, the parents probably have cabin fever and the kids do too and well try to offer something and see if we can get some kids this year, Turtle River State Park Manager Steve Crandall said.

Although only a couple families are taking part in the event, it is clear that a lack of a winter wonderland isnt an issue when it comes to having a good time.

Its like March, its March weather. I dont ever remember a Christmas without snow, Anderson said.

You can still go for a walk, you know get out on the trails and do some hiking, Crandall said.

Crandall says they arent seeing as much use in the park as they would if there was snow, but more people have been hiking and using the mountain bike trails.

It also runs tomorrow from 10 to 3 pm with a scavenger hunt, a wii winter ski contest and of course, more sledding down that grassy hill.

Turtle River State Park is 22 miles west of Grand Forks on Highway 2.

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Whether its kids or grandkids you?re looking to entertain at the arrival of 2012, here are four parties to consider on Saturday:

Happy Zoo Year, 5-9 pm, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Festival of Lights viewing; New Year?s Eve Madcap Puppet Theatre black-light shows at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 pm; meet Baby Zoo Year and Father Time; party favors and costume characters at 8 pm Early Zoo Year countdown at Wings of Wonder Theater begins at 8:55 pm Fireworks at 9 pm Included with zoo admission: $14 ages 13-61, $10 ages 62 and up and ages 2-12. 513-281-4700; www.cincinnatizoo.org.

The Ball on the Square: Fire and Ice, 8 pm-1 am, Oakley Square, Madison Road, Oakley. Party on Square and southbound Madison Road in front of 20th Century Theater. Music by the Sly Band and others. Cincinnati Circus to perform with fire performers, stilt walkers, magicians. Midnight ball drop and Rozzi fireworks finale. Food and alcoholic beverages available. Call 513-533-9386 for CSL VIP party tickets, $80. Benefits Oakley Community Council and Canines for Disabled Kids. Pipsqueak Kids party begins 8 pm with early fireworks at 9 pm Free. 513-520-9500; www.the20thcenturytheatre.com.

Toyota?s New Year?s Eve Blast, 8 pm, Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Festivities kick off at 8 pm with free ice skating, music from DJ Pillo, a bar and snacks such as popcorn and cotton candy. There?s also a ?red carpet? from the parking garage to the rink. At the stroke of midnight, thousands count down and cheer in new year live on WXIX-TV (Channel 19). Fireworks follow countdown. Free. 513-763-8036.

New Year?s Bash Skating Party, 8 pm-2 am, RECA Roller Rink, 11 Viewpoint Drive, Alexandria. Balloon drops, noise-makers, and hats. $10 admission, $2-$3 skate rentals. 859-635-4273.

Want to give the kids their own party?

New Year?s Eve Bash and Overnight, 7 pm, Mayerson JCC, 8485 Ridge Road, Amberley Village. Grades K-6 play with noisemakers and have special ?Bubbly Toast? at midnight. Includes waterpark fun, snacks, games in gym, movie and breakfast. Ends 8 am Jan 1. $35, $25 members. Registration required. 513-761-7500; www.jointhej.org.

The next night, after dining at the honky-tonk Dinosaur BBQ on the best ribs Ive ever tasted, we watch Torontos Marlies narrowly beat Rochesters Amerks in Blue Cross Arena, a large, impressive rink that attracts a hefty crowd of AHL fans.

Our final night at downtowns Geva Theatre, we catch the sold-out, hilarious one-man show hit, Late Night Catechism which amuses Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

From our convenient base at the centrally-located Strathallan Hotel on East Street, we are walking distance to many sites, and on two evenings we enjoy the first floor bar. The neighbourhoods huge, ornate wooden homes remind me of Buffalos many mansions in the Delaware and Elmwood area. And the bonus with all there is to see and do in Rochester is that its a short, easy drive (106 km) from the Peace Bridge.

The George Eastman House and International Museum of Photography Film is Rochesters must-see. One might easily spend an entire day here, with movies played in the evening. George Eastman was the prototypical self-made man, leaving school at age 13 to assist his widowed mother. From our passionate, knowledgeable guide, Shari Clement, we learn how he self-taught himself chemistry and persevered to invent a revolutionary camera, the Brownie. He developed KODAK to become extremely rich and a generous philanthropist, initiating the precursor to the United Way. Indeed, he was so generous to his employees with wage benefits and bonuses that he aroused the displeasure of avaricious titan Henry Ford.

Eastman started a local school of dentistry, and at the end of one meal, donated $30 million to several colleges. Unfortunately, well into his seventies and afflicted with debilitating ailments, he ended his life with a single gunshot, leaving an eloquent note that read, My work is done. To qualify for burial at St. Pauls, the death certificate was fudged to indicate temporary insanity.

At the Susan B. Anthony House, docent JoAnn Middleton helps make Anthonys life and struggles come alive. With ally and friend Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the two became early champions of the Womens Rights Movement, leading up to the first Convention in 1848 at nearby Seneca Falls.

Unfortunately, Anthony never realized the vote in her lifetime despite her purposeful arrest and constant government petitions. Her home and adjoining buildings are in excellent shape, and a dedicated park exhibits a statue of Anthony and Frederick Douglass, a former slave who became one of the great American anti-slavery leaders of the 1800s.

Just north of the Strathallan Hotel, surrounded by artwork such as a Henry Moore sculpture, we ate a tasty lunch at the Memorial Art Gallery, considered one of the finest regional art museums in the country with a permanent collection of 11,000 works which spans 50 centuries of world art and includes important pieces by Monet, Cezanne, Matisse, Homer and Cassatt.

Today, we are treated to Extreme Materials 2, showcasing 41 artists from the US, Canada, England and Germany with extravagant works that include a room-sized structure built of Neutrogena soap, an installation created entirely from preserved insects, a nightgown made of condoms (utilitarian) and a Byzantine mosaic recreated in breakfast cereal. Bizarre works that leave most patrons smiling.

Next, we venture into the National Museum of Play at the Strong National Toy Hall of Fame, an architectural oddity that partly reminds me of Calgarys Saddledome. Its mammoth collection fascinates kids, but we notice parents look a wee bit haggard at the end. Its a 282,000 square foot wonderland of play, fulfilling the museums philosophy that play is a vital component in education. I watch with fond memories as one dad plays his first game of checkers with a young daughter. And if one tires of play, theres also a butterfly garden to explore.

On a Saturday morning we enjoy breakfast at Rochesters teeming Public Market, voted best in the nation. Seattle might disagree, but this place is packed and parking almost impossible. Get here early because its worth the effort. They have everything imaginable and the price is right!

Rochester boasts several unique urban areas such as Park Avenue where we visit Stevers Homemade Candies, the Parkleigh boutique and Jines restaurant. After the RPO, we dine at Tavern 58 at Gibbs, just up the street, an intimate up-scale restaurant.

We thoroughly enjoy three fun-filled days of activity and will happily return. A friendly couple (everyone we met was friendly) whom we encounter both at the RPO and at the market share that they like it so much here, they retired in Rochester after working in Washington, DC. Given DC resources, its an endorsement indeed!

If You Go

Visit Rochester: www.visitrochester.com/

George Eastman House International Museum of Photography Film: www.eastmanhouse.org

National Museum of Play at the Strong, National Toy Hall of Fame: www.strongmuseum.org

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO): www.rpo.org/

Strathallan Hotel: www.strathallan.com

Mike Keenan is a Niagara on the Lake based writer. Contact him at www.whattravelwriterssay.com

Actors having fun adapting to ‘Frankenstein’

By Randall G. Mielke
For Sun-Times Media

December 29, 2011 9:40AM

Glendale residents have opportunities to partake in the college revelry surrounding the Fiesta Bowl.

Tickets are available through the Fiesta Bowl and on the secondary market for Mondays game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Stanford Cardinal at University of Phoenix Stadium, near Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue.
2012 Fiesta Bowl: Behind the scenes

More than 4,000 tickets were up for sale this week at StubHub, where fans can buy and sell tickets to thousands of sporting events online. Ticket prices ranged from $50 to $315 for the Fiesta Bowl.

StubHub spokeswoman Joellen Ferrer said the college game is one of the top-selling bowls with a majority of the ticket buyers coming from Oklahoma, followed by California and then Arizona.

But even if fans opt not to attend the game, which kicks off at 6:30 pm, there are plenty of ways to be part of the college-football frenzy.

Some of the biggest crowds will gather at Westgate City Center, the outdoor shopping and restaurant district near the stadium. Downtown Glendale also will offer some football ambience and sales.

Merchants along 58th Drive, renamed Fiesta Bowl Drive this time of year, have decorated each side of the street in team colors. Many of the more than 90 specialty shops will offer discounts on goods and services on game day.

Westgate will host fan-friendly events at its plaza, beginning at 1 pm Monday until kickoff.

Several Westgate eateries, such as Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville and Shanes Rib Shack, will offer satellite express locations so people can more quickly grab food.

Arizona Sports 620 radio station will set up ladder-ball games for families and broadcast a live pregame show.

Each of the plazas fountains will become wishing wells for the teams with coins donated in the teams name to Glendales From the Heart program, which provides services to the citys children, families and seniors.

Michelle Sniegowski, the manager at the Shout House, which boasts dueling pianos to entertain patrons, said the Fiesta Bowl generally brings in triple the number of usual patrons.

Its awesome, she said. We always look forward to the Fiesta Bowl. It gets really packed in here and its a no-stop, running-around day.

The Shout House will be ready with food and beer specials, such as a burger, side of fries and domestic draft for $12, Sniegowski said.

Parking at Westgate for the Fiesta Bowl is $30 on a first-come, first-serve basis with no validation.

Also near Westgate and the stadium, the Fiesta Bowl will host College Footballs Biggest Party. The ticketed event begins at 12:30 pm in the north orange lot at the stadium.

For $20, fans can experience whats touted as the ultimate tailgate, which includes a plated meal, pep rallies, marching-band performances and interactive games.

All the fun can be had without a game ticket.

The gist is going to the stadium is for that aura and be part of all the fan excitement, city spokeswoman Jennifer Stein said. I have friends who are Oklahoma State alumni who dont have tickets yet want to be part of the fan environment and so they go to Westgate.

City tourism manager Lorraine Pino estimated about 10,000 ticketless fans typically come out just to experience the flavor of the football game.

How to tap into action

Tickets: Get tickets to Mondays game or College Footballs Biggest Party, a pregame party near the stadium, at www.fiestabowl.org.

Fiesta cam: Fans who cant make the trip to University of Phoenix Stadium can catch a glimpse of whats happening outside the stadium leading up to the game. The city has set up a camera that will offer a birds-eye view at www.glendaleaz.com or www.visitglendale.com.

Navigate traffic: The city will issue traffic advisories at www.twitter.com/GlendaleTraffic.

Visitor help: The Glendale Visitor Center, 5800 W. Glenn Drive, Suite 140, will be open from 10 am to 2 pm Monday to offer free gift bags to fans in team apparel. Details: 623-930-4500 or www.VisitGlendale.com.

Fiesta Bowl specials

Numerous shops and restaurants will offer game-day specials. Heres a look at some of the deals:

A Z Biker Unlimited, 5757 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 2, Glendale. Open from 9 am to 6 pm Wear anything with your team logo and get 10 percent off anything in stock. Details: 480-213-0369 or www.azbikerunlimited.com.

Country Maiden, 7146 N. 58th Ave., Glendale. Open from 10 am to 5 pm Remaining Christmas merchandise thats normally 50 percent off will be 75 percent off for Fiesta Bowl fans. To receive the discount, identify your team when checking out. Details: 623-930-7303.

Glendale Barbershop, 6825 N. 58th Ave., Glendale. Open from 9 am to 6 pm Haircut, shave, the works for $25 (regularly $32). No appointment needed. Details: 623-934-0431.

Olde Towne Glendale Wine Beer Bar, 5745 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. Open from 11 am to 11 pm Two for the price of one all day on all draft beers for fans that wear team colors. Details: 623-937-9463.

Papa Eds Ice Cream, 7146 N. 58th Ave., Glendale. Open from 11 am to 6 pm Wear your team colors and buy one ice cream at regular price and get 50 percent off second ice cream of equal value (excludes kids cones and popsicles). Details: 623-915-4438.

Spicery in Our 1895 Home, 7141 N. 59{+t}{+h} Ave., Glendale. Open from 10:30 a.m to 2 pm Buy one entrée and receive a second of equal or lesser value for free with a Fiesta Bowl ticket. Details: 623-937-6534 or www.1895spicery.com.

Hot Air Expeditions Inc., Deer Valley Airport, north Phoenix. Open from 4:30 am to 8 pm Flights check in at 7:30 am and 3:30 pm Ten percent off a balloon flight for two. Details: 480-502-6999 or 800-831-7610 or www.HotAirExpeditions.com

Arizona Scenic Tours. Open from 7 am to 9 pm Ten percent off all tours. Details: 480-459-7144 or www.ArizonaScenicTours.com

Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium, Northern Avenue and Arizona 303. Zoo is open from 9 am to 6 pm and aquarium from 9 am to 9 pm $4 per person discount off admission for those mentioning Fiesta Bowl. Details: 623-935-9453 or www.wildlifeworld.com.