New Series to Check Out

OK, so it wants to be “The Office” in a mom-and-pop green grocer. That doesn’t make TBS' new half-hour comedy 10 Items for Less any less funny. BeansTalk checked out the first episode and enjoyed it. You might want to tune in or Tivo or DVR it.

Grocery-Store Comedy from Sony Pictures Television, Writer/Star/Executive Producer John Lehr, Writer/Director/Executive Producer Nancy Hower and Writer/Executive Producer Robert Hickey Episode 2 premieres Monday, December 4, 2006, at 11 p.m. (ET/PT), following Family Guy Encores on TBS Wednesday, Dec. 6, at midnight (ET/PT) Also available at TBS’s Laugh Lab (tbs.com) beginning Thursday, Dec. 7, and on VOD beginning Friday, Dec. 8

TBS is heading for the express checkout lane with 10 Items or Less, a new late-night comedy series that combines scripted and improvisational elements. The series, co-created by acclaimed comedy improv actor John Lehr (Memron), goes behind the scenes at a family-owned grocery store being run by a host of interesting characters. It comes to TBS from Sony Pictures Television, with Lehr, Robert Hickey and Nancy Hower serving as executive producers.

Episode 2: “Miracle Worker” – Written by Robert Hickey & Nancy Hower & John Lehr; Directed by Nancy Hower

Greens & Grains’ sales are down, and manager Leslie Pool (John Lehr) needs to find a way to attract new customers. When a water stain on the wall near the entrance to the store appears to be the likeness of Jesus, Leslie sees nothing but dollar signs. But his overeager marketing tactics attract the ire of rival store manager Amy (Jennifer Elise Cox), while Ingrid (Kirsten Gronfeld) goes a little too far with her own promotional idea. Carl (Robert Clendenin) makes overtures to be a proper father to his son with Yolanda (Roberta Valderrama). And the meat freezer is on the fritz, threatening the store’s entire meat supply.

BeansTalk Note: We've also watched several episode of TBS' "My Boys," and really liked that too. It may be more of a chick show, but we'd certainly recommend it.

Save the World

A Year On Earth Traces The Global Adventures Of Three American Teens On A Mission To Save The Planet

Three teenagers…five continents...one mission: to take the pulse of our planet and report back to their generation. Are they up to the task?

A YEAR ON EARTH chronicles the story of three American teens: Jamie Fiel, 18 from Keller, Texas, Arsen Ewing, 17 from Canyon, California, and Tyler Robinson, 16 from Lincoln, Massachusetts. They have little in common except for a shared concern that time is running out for the planet. Nominated by their respective science teachers, the teens join research projects around the globe to work with scientists supported by Earthwatch Institute. These three teens traded a year at school for a classroom without walls to study the largest, most pressing environmental issues of our time. This riveting two-part special debuts on the Discovery Kids Channel on Sunday, December 3, 2006 from 5-6:30 PM (ET) repeating from 9-10:30 PM (ET) with part two debuting the following Sunday, December 10 from 5-6 PM (ET) repeating from 9-10 PM (ET)

From Botswana’s Okavango Delta to Sri Lanka, right after the tsunami hit, the teens work side by side with Earthwatch scientists, gathering evidence of global warming, deforestation, coral reef degradation and species on the verge of extinction. Their assignments are as varied as their locations: measuring and banding pink flamingoes in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley; wrangling dangerous crocs in Botswana; tracking giant sea turtles in Costa Rica; and exploring a great archaeological site in Thailand.
Throughout the journey, the kids send daily blogs to websites that are followed by thousands of students back in the U.S. and talk by satellite phone for a live Q & A. Sending letters to government officials, making videos, and talking about the issues, Jamie, Arsen and Tyler become determined to make a world of difference.

But A YEAR ON EARTH is more than just a global expedition; it’s also a powerful journey of self-discovery for these three teens. By working with Earthwatch scientists, the students understand the long-term view, at a moment in our planet’s life when time for change is running out. The more they see, the more they understand that solutions to important environmental issues start with the power of one, individual action. In the words of Jamie, “You think you’re going out to change the world, but in the end, the world changes you.”

Shot in high-definition, A YEAR ON EARTH is produced for Discovery Kids by Bahati Productions. John Heminway and Katie Carpenter are producers, writers and directors. For Discovery Kids, Marjorie Kaplan is the executive in charge of production.

Earthwatch Institute is a unique volunteer organization that brings science to life for people concerned about the Earth's future. Founded in 1971, Earthwatch supports scientific field research by offering ordinary people the opportunity to join research teams around the world. Every year over 4,000 volunteers join scientific research teams. The teens in the film visited only a few of 140 research projects open to the public. To find out how you can join these tax-deductible volunteer vacations, see www.earthwatch.org

For media, the Earthwatch web site also contains more details on each of the scientists featured in the film, their research projects, and the educational impact of Earthwatch among citizen scientists.

A YEAR ON EARTH FILM - TRAVEL ITINERARY:
Maynard, MA (Eco-school and trip planning meeting)
Rift Valley Lakes, Kenya
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Pantanal, Brazil
Pacific Coast, Costa Rica
San Salvador Reef, Bahamas
Jungle Temple Ruins, Sri Lanka
Ranong & Phuket, Thailand
Angkor Ruins in Phimai, Thailand
Lowland Forest, Malaysia
Halifax, Massachusetts

A YEAR ON EARTH - TRAVELERS:
Jamie Fiel, age 18, Keller, TEXAS: She’s a cowboy poet who lives in a suburb of Dallas, Texas. A leader on her rugby team, Jamie knows when it’s time to be aggressive. She sees words as swords to battle against the multiple threats of over-population and over-consumption. She was especially inspired by the Earthwatch project in Thailand:“The head scientist, Charles Higham, showed everyone the excitement and complete wonderment that goes along with studying ancient burial sites. I have always wanted to be an archeologist and this project just reinforced the reasons why I wanted to be one.”

Arsen Ewing, age 17, Canyon, California: He was born in Haiti and raised in a redwood forest near Oakland, California, practices African drumming and the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. He sees the land of his birth as a place shattered by environmental destruction – a fate he feels may come to other parts of the world if we delay any further. He is active in Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots environmental education program.

Tyler Robinson, age 16, Lincoln, Massachusetts: He’s an impassioned baseball player, filmmaker, scuba diver and outdoorsman from the Massachusetts woods. He is very tech savvy and used his talent to shoot his companions’ video diaries during the making of A YEAR ON EARTH

Much Murphy

U.S. actress Brittany Murphy poses with a penguin as she arrives in Leicester Square for the European premiere of her latest film "Happy Feet" in central London, Sunday Nov. 26, 2006. The animated penguin movie also stars actors Nicole Kidman, Elijah Wood and Robin Williams. Murphy, voice of Gloria in Happy Feet, attended the film’s London premiere wearing an outfit by Monique Lhuillier, a pink and black floral beaded bustier paired with a black abstract floral jacquard pencil skirt. (AP Photo/ Max Nash)

Wonderful Walsh

Actress Kate Walsh arrives for the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, 21 November 2006. She wore a dress by UK-based designer Jenny Packham her third appearance in a Jenny Packham dress in as many months. She chose a turquoise fringe mini dress with beaded bust from Packham’s spring 2007 collection. Packham’s designs are available in some of the world’s prestigious boutiques, from Harrods (London) to H. Lorenzo (Los Angeles). Retail prices range from $800 to $10,000. www.jennypackham.com (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

Marvelous Martie

Emily Robison, Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire of The Dixie Chicks arrive at 34th Annual American Music Awards Shrine Auditorium Los Angeles, California United States on November 21, 2006. Maguire chose Stephen Webster’s white gold “Onyx Dagger” earrings which are accented with white diamonds and carry the hefty price tag of $5,500. This is not the first time Maguire has donned Stephen Webster jewelry on the red carpet. In fact, the last pair she borrowed from the designer she ended up buying rather than part with them Webster was named “UK Luxury Jewelry Designer of the Year” in 2006, for the fifth consecutive year. (Steve Granitz/WireImage.com)

Carry-on Carrie

US singer Carrie Underwood arrives for the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, 21 November 2006. Underwood performed at The 2006 American Music Awards with a dazzling ring by Swarovski, a silk satin Arum ring. She carried a handbag by Mary Norton, accessorizing her pink strapless dress with a vintage Reese clutch in pewter velvet with pink and ivory pearl cluster accents. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

Bodacious Beyonce

US singer Beyonce arrives for the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, 21 November 2006. pure Platinum jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz, a pair of long Platinum and diamond drop earrings and a Platinum and diamond cocktail ring. at the “2006 American Music Awards” in Beverly Hills.(Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

Always Ashlee

Singer Ashlee Simpson arrives for the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, 21 November 2006. She wore a dress by Monique Lhuillier. The Chicago star looked stunning in a greige silk chiffon strapless gathered bodice cocktail dress with gold baroque belt hot off the runway from Monique’s Spring 2007 collection. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

Charmin' Carmen

Carmen Electra arrives at the 34th Annual American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California United States on November 21, 2006. She wore a pair of Platinum and diamond hoop earrings, a Platinum and diamond bracelet and a Platinum, diamond and sapphire cocktail ring. Fellow attendee and expectant mother Tori Spelling also wore a pair of Platinum and diamond drop earrings, a Platinum and diamond bracelet and a Platinum and diamond cocktail ring. (Steve Granitz/WireImage.com)

Just JoJo

Singer JoJo Levesque, who goes by just her first name JoJo, poses in the press room at the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, 21 November 2006. JoJo chose a fresh fuschia ombre silk with subtle beading, also a part of the spring Jenny Packham 2007 collection. Packham’s designs are available in some of the world’s prestigious boutiques, from Harrods (London) to H. Lorenzo (Los Angeles). Retail prices range from $800 to $10,000. www.jennypackham.com (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

Bouncy Beyonce

U.S. singer Beyonce performs during the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London November 15, 2006. She performed in pure Platinum jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz, wearing a pair of precious Platinum and diamond hoop earrings. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty (BRITAIN)

In Other Fashion News...

In Amsterdam, Holland, actress Gwyneth Paltrow wore an evening gown by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin for the Freixenet event. Paltrow helped celebrate the occasion in Lanvin’s sensuous silver silk halter gown accented with darker colors on the bodice.

Demi Moore appeared on the The Tonight Show yesterday in a cocktail dress by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. For her interview with Jay Leno, Moore selected Lanvin’s beautiful black sleeveless sheath dress with jeweled neckline.

Vacation at Home with Portico SPA:
Hair, Bath, and Body Products Create an At-Home Spa Experience

Holiday shopping? Tired of the large mall chain stores? The Portico Home online store, a favorite of BeansTalk’s, offers a beautiful and elegantly simple selection of high quality products for the home, including furniture, lighting, art, linens, bath products, towels and accessories. We think many of the designs have a breezy and beachy appeal.

While you are still on the mental “breezy beach” we just created for you, here is another hot tip: BeansTalk just learned that Portico, recently announced the retail launch of Portico SPA, a personal care collection of hair, bath, and body products. While a selection of the products have successfully served as the signature amenities for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in the US, Canada, and Caribbean since 2002, Portico SPA now makes its US retail debut so consumers can enjoy pampering long after they have checked out.

Staying true to the company’s philosophy that modern luxury for the home combines clean aesthetics with maximum comfort, Portico SPA extends these elements to personal care. “Portico has always aimed to help consumers create an environment that looks great and makes you comfortable, and we have now taken it a step further with the spa line,” says Bobby Berk, Director/Partner of Portico SPA. “Portico SPA offers all elements you need to create an at-home sanctuary where you can treat yourself and create a stress-free, chic ambiance at the same time.”

The Portico SPA unisex collection includes two hair products, a Clarifying Shampoo and Moisture Rich Conditioner; two bath products, Hydrating Shower Gel and Exfoliating Sugar Scrub; and two moisturizers, Renewing Body Lotion and Soothing Body Butter. Spa-inspired fragrances include Lavander+Citrus, White Ginger, Eucalyptus, and Verbena. BeansTalk finds the clear asymmetrical packaging modern and ergonomically pleasing as well.

BeansTalk is officially on the Verbena bandwagon. We were lucky enough to try the shampoo and conditioner set, and are particularly fond of the verbena scent, as is the lovestruck man of the house. We are also very happy with the clarifying effect of the shampoo, as we have found that even with daily washings, it will not dry out. The conditioner seems to add the bounce and shine our seven-year-old daughter enjoys naturally.

Clarifying Shampoo $12.50
Moisture Rich Conditioner $12.50
Hydrating Shower Gel $12.50
Exfoliating Sugar Scrub $16.00
Renewing Body Lotion $16.00
Soothing Body Butter $16.00

Portico SPA can be found at www.porticohome.com and specialty stores nationwide.

By Andrea Goodwin, associate editor, BeansTalk (agoodwin@beanstalkbiz.com)

BeansTalk ME Note on Portico SPA

We also have the problem of needing to wash our hair daily for it to look its best. We confess that there are times when we’ve skipped a day (washing and blow-drying only our bangs and pulling the rest of our mop into either a pony tail or French braid.

Our problems stem from very long hair that gets flat on top and dry at the bottom if we’re not diligent with the washing and conditioning. We were happy to be able to review the Portico White Ginger, which smells amazing. We actually have a comparative, because we have been using Origins Ginger Aromatic Shampoo and Conditioner. We love the scent of Origins, but it seems to be more about the scent rather than the cleansing properties. We've been looking for a claryifying shampoo that cleanses but doesn't dry and emphasize dead ends for a long time.

Fortunately, Portico Spa’s White Ginger Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner works its cleansing magic a bit better. Both Portico and Origins are exactly the same price (as Andrea mentioned above, $12.50).

See Your Way to A Unique
Useful Holiday Gift:
Tweezlight

First off, don’t get this confused with the lesser-quality Luma Tweeze (which comes up when you put tweezelight.com into your browser address; make sure you put tweezlight.com – no “e”).

This little bit of sweetness is perfect to quickly get that tiny bit of manliness that some women (we’re actually including ourselves in this) get – that tenacious little single beard hair in our chin.

It’s also ideal for when the Chairman of the Board invariably gets a splinter. It happens. It does.

Here’s what they say:

Revolutionary New Design beautifully crafted from corrosion- resistant Stainless Steel with pinpoint accuracy LED Light, brings greater control to personal care night or day.
These High Performance tweezers provide a clear view of the smallest and finest hair, normally invisible to the naked eye. Remove hair anywhere, or use for hobbies and everyday difficult-to-handle small objects.

These built-to-last tweezers are the perfect tool to use throughout the household, the Perfect Gift Idea, and they are Water Resistant too! With 50,000+ On/Off Clicks you can use them for Anything.

Each pair of Tweezlight is crafted from stainless steel with exclusive pinpoint Micro-Beam light built right in for pinpoint accuracy. This precise hair removal implement can grab even the finest of ingrown hairs with ease and makes a clear view of the smallest and finest hair, normally invisible to the naked eye. So removing hair anywhere is no longer a challenge. These tweezers are so unique, they are patented.

Precision hair removal right in your hands. Well crafted and precise, the Tweezlight is an effective set of tweezers which will easily remove hairs in splinters in all areas. But that’s not what makes it unique. Featuring a patented micro-beam light The Tweezlight includes a patented micro-beam light built right in. Just turn on the light and you’ll be able to clearly and easily see whatever area you’re working on.

Tweezlight: A variety of uses

Use the Tweezlight for a variety of tasks, including: Hair removal including ingrown hair), Splinters, Crafts, Hobbies & model making Jewels and crafts An instant source of light when you need it.

Light your way with Tweezlight whether you’re getting rid of unwanted hair, removing a tricky splinter or working on your favorite hobby, the Tweezlight will brighten your way to whatever you’re working on!

In conclusion:

Tweezlight comes in satin silver or gold. We pulled this out (to show off, not to use!) at our usual Sunday dinner and our regular companions went nuts for it, and wanted to go out and buy one immediately. At only $19.95, it’s a perfect holiday present. tweezlight.com

Give Thanks

BeansTalk loves Thanksgiving. It's the only time of the year we eat turkey, because we don't like it otherwise (okay, admittedly, this is just the ME talking, the rest of the staff is good with turkey). As we look forward to welcoming Thanksgiving guests into our home at noon (and the most exciting part -- decorating for Christmas that afternoon), we thought we'd offer up some Thanksgiving history and trivia, accented with (as you might have noticed we love antique postcards) images of Thanksgiving past, courtesy of vintage ephemera.

We're going to be dark this four-day holiday weekend, but will be returning Monday, 27 November. Here's more than you ever thought you'd like to know about Turkey Day.

How Thanksgiving was Declared a National Holiday:

Several people wanted to have an official day of thanksgiving, including George Washington, who proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. Several people did not want it including President Thomas Jefferson.

Sarah J. Hale, a magazine editor, urged President Lincoln to reinstate Thanksgiving Day.

In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

Every President since Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day. But in 1939, 1940, and 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Thanksgiving the third Thursday in November to lengthen the holiday shopping season. This upset people.

It was not until 1941, that congress declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday. It was declared to be the fourth Thursday in November.

About Thanksgiving

Most Americans are familiar with the Pilgrim's Thanksgiving Feast of 1621, but few realize that it was not the first festival of its kind in North America. Long before Europeans set foot in the Americas, native peoples sought to insure a good harvest with dances and rituals such as the Green Corn Dance of the Cherokees.

The first Thanksgiving service known to be held by Europeans in North America occurred on May 27, 1578 in Newfoundland, although earlier Church-type services were probably held by Spaniards in La Florida. However, for British New England, some historians believe that the Popham Colony in Maine conducted a Thanksgiving service in 1607. In the same year, Jamestown colonists gave thanks for their safe arrival, and another service was held in 1610 when a supply ship arrived after a harsh winter.

Berkley Hundred settlers held a Thanksgiving service in accordance with their charter which stated that the day of their arrival in Virginia should be observed yearly as a day of Thanksgiving, but within a few years an Indian uprising ended further services (Dabney). Thus British colonists held several Thanksgiving services in America before the Pilgrim's celebration in 1621.

The Pilgrims, with a puritanical rejection of public religious display, held a non-religious Thanksgiving feast, aside from saying grace. In fact, they seem to have used the three days for feasting, playing games, and even drinking liquor.

About Thanksgiving Part 2

In 1623, the Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation, Massachusetts, held another day of Thanksgiving. As a drought was destroying their crops, colonists prayed and fasted for relief; the rains came a few days later. And not long after, Captain Miles Standish arrived with staples and news that a Dutch supply ship was on its way. Because of all this good fortune, colonists held a day of Thanksgiving and prayer on June 30. This 1623 festival appears to have been the origin of our Thanksgiving Day because it combined a religious and social celebration.

Festivals of Thanksgiving were observed sporadically on a local level for more than 150 years. They tended to be autumn harvest celebrations. But in 1789, Elias Boudinot, Massachusetts member of the House of Representatives, moved that a day of Thanksgiving be held to thank God for giving the American people the opportunity to create a Constitution to preserve their hard won freedoms. A Congressional Joint Committee approved the motion, and informed President George Washington. On October 3, 1789, the President proclaimed that the people of the United States observe "a day of public thanksgiving and prayer" on Thursday, the 26th of November.

The next three Presidents proclaimed, at most, two days of thanksgiving sometime during their terms of office, either on their own initiative or at the request of a joint Resolution of Congress. One exception was Thomas Jefferson, who believed it was a conflict of church and state to require the American people hold a day of prayer and thanksgiving. President James Madison proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving to be held on April 13, 1815, the last such proclamation issued by a President until Abraham Lincoln did so in 1862.

About Thanksgiving Part 3

Most of the credit for the establishment of an annual Thanksgiving holiday may be given to Sarah Josepha Hale. Editor of Ladies Magazine and Godey's Lady's Book, she began to agitate for such a day in 1827 by printing articles in the magazines. She also published stories and recipes, and wrote scores of letters to governors, senators, and presidents. After 36 years of crusading, she won her battle. On October 3, 1863, buoyed by the Union victory at Gettysburg, President Lincoln proclaimed that November 26, would be a national Thanksgiving Day, to be observed every year on the fourth Thursday of November.

Only twice has a president changed the day of observation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in order to give depression-era merchants more selling days before Christmas, assigned the third Thursday to be Thanksgiving Day in 1939 and 1940. But he was met with popular resistance, largely because the change required rescheduling Thanksgiving Day events such as football games and parades. In 1941, a Congressional Joint Resolution officially set the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday for Thanksgiving.

Today, Thanksgiving is a time when many families come together, and many churches are open for special services. We have both Native Americans and immigrants to thank for the opportunity to observe a day of thanksgiving. (From the Smithsonian)

Thanksgiving FYI

Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday in November.

Reason We Celebrate Thanksgiving:

To give thanks.

Observance of Thanksgiving:

Give thanks for everything we have and enjoy.

Thanksgiving meal enjoyed with (extended) family and friends, consisting of Turkey and fixings.

Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York City

Thanksgiving Football games (if you like that kind of thing)

Listening to Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant"

The day after Thanksgiving is the unofficial kick off to holiday shopping, called "black Friday" (named black Friday because retailers usually go into the black (profit) from strong sales on this day). From About.com