Carol Culkin

I am not too fond of cloudy winter days...and a back condition prevents me from enjoyiing winter sports like I use to. So, I head to the movies a lot in the winter!

My husband and I are actually movie addicts. We usually don't wait too long after a new release and enjoy the big screen. I like all kinds, except the sci-fi and hokey ones (I refuse to be so gullible!). As for "chic flicks", he hates them, so I tend to miss the days when my daughter would come home from college and we would go together (she now lives out of state permanently)!

Our favorites lately were Juno and Bucket List (we liked both equally). Today we saw No Country For Old Men - We liked it...until the end. Anybody who has seen this movie will understand why - as I was walking out of the theatre, I called it "No Country With No Ending"

Here is a list of Dutchess County movie theatres.

Don't let winter get you down - take in a movie at one of these local theatres:

....Oh, and stay away from my popcorn!

Regal (Hoyts) Galleria 12

790 South Road in the Galleria Mall, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Silver Cinemas South Hills

1895 South Road, South Hills Mall, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Roosevelt Cinemas

Route 9, Hyde Park, NY 12538

Regal (Hoyts) Fishkill Cinemas 10

Route 9, in the Hudson Valley Outlet Center, Fishkill, NY 12524

Upstate Films

26 Montgomery Street - Route 9, Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Sesame Street Live - February, 29 - March, 2 Great family fun awaits, When Super Grover loses his superness, Sesame Street needs a hero! Never fear, Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and friends are here. Get set to join The Fabulous Five, a new team of Sesame heroes, as they work to put the "super" back in Super Grover. Teaching lessons of healthy habits through song and dance, your favorite Sesame Street friends explore exercise, nutrition, sleep/energy and hygiene - all in a quest to get Super Grover ready for action. All your favorite characters live on stage, produced by Vee Corporation. Fri., 10:30am & 7pm; Sat., 10:30am, 2pm & 5:30pm; & Sun., 1pm & 4:30pm. $13-$24. Mid Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza Poughkeepsie, NY ticketmaster.com

Because many people today are facing bankruptcy and foreclosure and selling their homes to avoid these situations it's good to know about local resources. Don't be embarrassed if you are having money problems! Set goals with a Volunteer Family Budget Educator who can help you think about ways to overcome financial problems. Seek the help of the Family Budget Education Program - offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County

http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/dutchess/article.php?id=57

Benefits:
Cornell Cooperative Extension's Family Budget Education Program will help you take control of your finances by helping you to:
* Open Family Communication Channels
* Set Family Financial Goals
* Organize Financial Records
* Develop a Written Budget
* Manage Credit and Debt
* Pay Bills on Time
* Talk to Creditors and Negotiate Repayment Plans
* Use Local Community Resources
* Save Money Regularly


In Dutchess County, NY call (845) 677-8223 x 119 or send an e-mail to lmc76@cornell.edu.
In other areas of the country, look in the telephone directory for your state land grant college or county extension office.

On April 5-6 there will be a two-day event located in downtown Poughkeepsie, NY in the heart of the Hudson Valley which attracts approximately 25,000 people each year. This event is designed for children and their families to come together and enjoy interactive, hands-on learning experiences in a fun, safe, educational day for 25,000 children, their families and elected officials along with 250 volunteers and 150 business leaders. People from all parts of the Mid-Hudson Valley including Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Putnam, Rockland, Columbia, Sullivan, Rockland and Westchester Counties come to this event! 10am-4pm both days - $6 per person/children under 3 are FREE! Tickets can be purchased at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center and the YMCA.

http://www.kids-expo.org/home.htm

I have myself to blame for being a risk taker. I didn't get a flu shot this year. I've never had one - I am a baby when it comes to needles. Luckily, I rarely get the flu. So, I am making up for it this year. I am just getting over a second bout with the flu - the first time was at the end of November. That time it lasted 3 weeks with residuals. That seems average for most of the other people I know who have contacted this season's flu. However, this last bout seems to be different - a more severe strain (effecting every bone in your body), but fortunately, a little more short lived. So, will I get a flu shot next year - probably not unless it comes presented to me in a "shot" glass or on a tablespoon. For more information about the 2007-2008 flu season log onto the following website:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/season.htm