Untitled Document Home
Chef & Hotel Profile
Publisher's Page
Gift Guide
Travel Adventures
Epicurean Events
Health Minded
Spa Baby Secrets
Sips
Book Bites
Culinary Coup
Sense of Style
Kids Kaleidoscope
Tinsletown Tidbits
Wheels
Radio Show & Links
Contact Us


KIDS KALEIDOSCOPE   .   .   .

Holiday Movies  - - -

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a prequel to the Harry Potter movies. Based on J.K. Rowling's original story, it takes place in 1920s New York City and follows Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a magizoologist and author of a Hogwarts textbook that catalogs magical creatures. As per usual in the Potter saga, you can expect plenty of fantasy violence, some of which ends in deaths (a couple are pretty gruesome). There's also mass destruction, although the property destroyed is magically fixed, and the minds of the No-Maj ("no magic") folks are always erased. Wizards engage in wand battles, two wizards are sentenced to death and nearly killed, and an out-of-control form of magic nearly destroys whole swaths of Manhattan. A character's mother beats him with a belt (welts, cuts are shown on his hands). One scene takes place in a speakeasy, where adult characters order drinks, and there's a bit of light romance between couples that ends in goodbye kisses, longing looks, and brief caresses. Unlike the original Harry Potter movies, the main characters here are all adults, and the story is much more of a grown-up suspense/thriller than a kid-centric adventure. But themes and messages include curiosity, compassion, and courage, and the main characters are all strong role models.

   12+

Arrival is a deeply thoughtful sci-fi movie about trying to communicate with aliens rather than defeat them. It presents battle and war as last resorts, with only frightened, desperate people looking to violence as a solution. It champions education, compassion, and curiosity and has a strong female lead character (Amy Adams). Brief, upsetting hospital scenes show a girl dying of an invasive disease, and there's an explosion and the threat of war. Language is infrequent, although there is one use of "f--k." Other words heard are more along the lines of "screw it," "God no," "I hate you," and "idiot." One adult character drinks wine, and there are references to a married relationship, a budding romance, and a hug. Although the movie is slow-paced, it's a great, exceptionally compassionate pick for families with curious, thoughtful tweens and teens.

__________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________

KID'S RULE IN IRELAND AT THE MERRION -

EAT, DRINK AND BE (MERRI)ON IN DUBLIN
 
 

Celebrate the most wonderful time of year in Dublin at the elegant 5-star Merrion Hotel. Guests will feel at home for the holidays at The Merrion, which is composed of four restored Georgian townhouses, with its halls adorned with Christmas trees, fragrant wreaths and twinkling lights. This year, The Merrion is offering a range of special packages and offerings for the holidays designed to showcase the seasonal Irish festivities.
 
The Merrion's "Festive Snowman" dessert
EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRI(ON)
Through the month of December, a festive Christmas menu will be served in the award-winning Cellar Restaurant, culminating with a five-course Christmas lunch and dinner prepared by Chef Ed Cooney. The festive menu will include: open butternut squash ravioli; "The Duke" (the hotel's interpretation of a classic Beef Wellington); and The Merrion's signature "Festive Snowman" holiday dessert, made of white chocolate and orange blossom bavarois with mango sorbet and vanilla sable. Sunday Brunch will be served in The Cellar Bar and feature the best of Irish comfort food, along with a special visit from Father Christmas. A special Afternoon Tea will be served in the Georgian Drawing Room, which will include finger sandwiches, gingerbread, meringues, mince pies and other delicious homemade treats; and on December 4th, 11th and 18th, the tea will be accompanied by Christmas carols. Guests can also indulge in a traditional New Year's Day brunch in The Cellar Bar, for which Chef Cooney will serve up American and Irish comfort food and offer an extensive menu of classic cocktails and fresh fruit smoothies designed to rejuvenate even the weariest reveler.

CHRISTMAS FOR THE KIDS
At 6pm on Christmas Eve, The Merrion's gardens will set the scene for Christmas as young guests are invited to meet Father Christmas around the Christmas tree in the Front Hall. Each child will receive a gift and parents can relax with a glass of mulled wine and mince pies while being serenaded by Christmas carols. On December 24th and 26th, younger guests can meet up in the Kids Zone for a special program of activities, including face painting, arts and crafts, storytelling and a magic show.
 
HOLIDAY SEASON RETREAT PACKAGES
Packages for guests and families on offer this holiday and winter season include:
  • Winter Escape: This quick winter getaway includes an overnight stay in a Standard Queen room and Irish breakfast priced at $182 per person, based on double occupancy. Valid November 2016 through February 2017.
  • Winter Family Getaway: Accommodations for the whole family include a Super King and Super Twin room from $830 per night. Based on two adults and two children sharing, the offer includes Irish breakfast for the whole gang. Kids under 12 dine free, excluding December 24th, 25th and 31st. Valid from November 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017.
  • Post-Christmas Racing Break: Offered from December 26-29, 2016, this package includes two Top Level tickets for the renowned Leopardstown Christmas Race Festival (a highlight of the Irish horse racing calendar) and Irish breakfast. Priced from $274 per person, based on double occupancy.
  • Post-Christmas Pampering Getaway: To rejuvenate after the holidays, guests can book this package, valid from December 26-29, 2016, and indulge in a one-hour treatment followed by an overnight stay and Irish breakfast for $282 per person, based on double occupancy.
  • New Year's Eve Getaway Celebration: Guests can ring in the New Year with a celebratory dinner for two in The Cellar Restaurant, two nights' accommodations in a luxurious room in the Garden Wing, a bottle of Champagne and seasonal treats in-room on arrival, and a full Irish breakfast in the morning. Valid from December 30, 2016 to January 1, 2017, and priced at $521 per person, based on double occupancy.
     

Find more details about the special holiday packages at The Merrion, please visit: www.merrionhotel.com/holidayseason.

_______________________________________________


Holiday Bood Idea:

ENJOY FUN SCIENCE WITH CHARLIE MCCONNELL

A Guide to Live. The Universe And Why Science is so Awesome

_______________________________________________


2008
March 08 | April 08 | May 08 | June 08 | July 08 | August 08 | September 08 | October 08 | November 08 | December 08 | January 09 | February 09 | March 09 | April 09 | January 14 | December 13 | June 09 | November 13 | September 08 | August 09 | July 09 | September 09 | October 09 | November 09 | December 09 | January 10 | February 10 | March 10 | April 10 | May 10 | June 10 | July 10 | August 10 | September 10 | October 10 | November 10 | December 10 | January 11 | February 11 | March 11 | April 11 | May 11 | June 11 | July 11 | August 11 | September 11 | October 11 | November 11 | December 11 | January 12 | February 12 | March 12 | March | April 12 | May 12 | June 12 | July 12 | August 12 | September 12 | October 12 | November 12 | December 12 | January 13 | February 13 | March 13 | April 13 | May 13 | June 13 | June 13 | July 13 | August 13 | September 13 | October 13 | February 14 | March 14 | April 14 | May 14 | June 14 | July 14 | August 14 | September 14 | October 14 | November 14 | December 14 | January 15 | February 15 | March 15 | April 15 | May 15 | June 15 | July 15 | August 15 | September 15 | October 15 | November 15 | December 15 | January 16 | February 16 | March 16 | April 16 | May 16 | June 16 | July 16 | August 16 | September 16 | October 16 | November 16 | December 16 | January 17 | February 17 | March 17 | April 17 | May 17 | June 17 | July 17 | August 17 | September 17 | October 17 | November 17 | December 17 | January 18 | February 18 | March 18 | April 18 | May 18 | June 18 | July 18 | August 18 | September 18 | October 18 | November 18 | December 18 | January 19 | February 19 | March 19 | April 19 | May 19 | June 19 | July 19 | August 19 | September 19 | October 19 | November 19 | December 19 | January 20 | February 20 | March 20 | April 20 | May 20 | June 20 | July 20 | July 20 | August 20 | September 20 | October 20 | November 20 | December 20 | January 21 | February 21 | March 21 | April 21 | May 21 | June 21 | July 21 | August 21 | September 21 | October 21 | November 21 | December 21 | January 22 | February 22 | March 22 | April 22 | May 22 | June 22 | July 22 | August 22 | September 22 | October 22 | November 22 | December 22 | January 23 | February 23 | March 23 | April 23 | June 23 | May 23 | July 23 | August 23 | September 23 | October 23 | November 23 | December 23 | January 24 | February 24 | February 08 | January 08

2007
December 07
| November 07 | October 07 | September 07 | August 07 | July 07 | June 07 | May 07
April 07
| March 07 | February 07 | January 07

2006
December 06
| November 06 | October 06 | September 06 | August 06 | July 06 | June 06 | May 06
April 06
| March 06 | February 06 | January 06

2005
December 05
| November 05 | October 05 | September 05 | August 05 | July 05 | June 05 | May 05
April 05
| March 05

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved