Young Ears: The Best Kids Albums

January 26, 2012 9:06 am

The days of music for kids being unlistenable for adults are over. Some of the modern artists for the younger set make music that parents can also enjoy. Here are five essential records that parents will enjoy, too:

Dan Zanes – House Party
Zanes is one of the most popular names in children’s music today. He has multiple albums on the market, but House Party is one of the most accessible, full of fast-paced songs that will get your kids moving.

Laura Veirs – Tumble Bee
This Canadian singer-songwriter is known for her grown-up work, but her first kids album, produced with husband Tucker Martine, takes classics from the Smithsonian Folkways collection and gives them a new spin.

The Deedle Deedle Dees – Strange Dees Indeed
Brooklyn-based historical rock band takes some of the most important people in the annals of humankind and crafts catchy, addictive tunes about them.

Gustafer Yellowgold – Gustafer Yellowgold’s Wide Wild World
This entertaining concept album draws from the excesses of 70s rock to tell a rollicking tale of a strange creature who fell to Earth from space.

Jim Copp & Ed Brown – Agnes Mouthwash and Friends
The totally unique records created by Copp and Brown in the 1960s still hold up today. They’re bursting with strange, funny characters and addictive tunes, and kids of all ages love them.

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Jasmine Thai: Destin’s Thai Destination

January 24, 2012 9:02 am

Jasmine Thai is a Destin restaurant that caters to your tastes with great prices and authentic flavors. For example, their curry selection is outstanding, offering green curry, red curry, panang curry, massaman curry, and yellow curry. The typical curries can be prepared with your meat of choice or veggies too, and promise to deliver authentic Thai flavors like sweet basil, coconut milk, and tasty bell peppers. If you’re more of a noodle person, there are a plethora of choices ranging from pad thai with bean sprouts and crushed peanuts, pad pak with sautéed vegetables, pad himalai with a mushoom and cashew flair, or others. And of course, there are classics such as vegetable fried rice, or deep-fried or soft tofu mixed with peanut sauce and served on steaming veggies.

Jasmine Thai
4424 Commons Drive E.
Unit 3C
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 269-0185

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Five Unique Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

January 19, 2012 9:06 am
Are you looking for a memorable way to spend Cupid’s favorite day this year? Whether you’ll be celebrating with a long-time amour or a new romantic interest, these creative date ideas are certain to flutter your sweetheart’s pulse:
 
Outdoor Love
This year, why not skip the all too typical movie-and-restaurant Valentine’s routine and head outside instead? Consider a romantic evening picnic on the beach or in a park. Good wine, candles, and a warm shared blanket will make the experience especially cozy and intimate for the two of you.
 
Romantic Treasure Hunt
Rather than just handing a present to your special someone this year, consider making the gift-giving process extra fun. Hide your surprise and draw up a treasure map with intriguing twists and turns. You can also leave little romantic notes for him or her to discover along the way. 
 
Rev up the Restaurant Routine
It can be hard to choose a restaurant for a special Valentine’s Day meal, so why limit yourself to just one? Considering starting out with appetizers at one place, moving to another for the main course, finishing with dessert at another restaurant – and then capping it all off with a nightcap somewhere else? A fun evening of restaurant-hopping will let you enjoy a memorable variety of tastes and atmospheres with your sweetheart. 
 
Small Town Sweetness
Consider planning a romantic daylong outing to a small town near you, preferably one that you’ve never visited. Then spend the afternoon with your loved one exploring the town’s unique offerings – parks, museums, galleries, and restaurants. 
 
Arts and Hearts
February 14th often occasions cultural events like poetry readings, concerts, and museum exhibits, so why not enjoy some of these romance-inspiring offerings with your sweetheart? Check out local papers and events calendars to see what’s happening in the arts world. You can make the day extra sweet by capping it off with a creation of your own, presenting your special someone with an original poem or piece of art. 
 

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