As another perfect spring comes to an end, Southern Californians prepare for their least favorite season fireworks season.

Fireworks season begins near the beginning of June and tapers off in early August. Random explosions, crackles and whistles are the hallmark of fireworks season. And as annoying as it is for us, the random fireworks can be absolutely terrifying to our pets with noise phobias.

It is thought that about 20% to 25% of dogs in the United States have noise phobia. Like other phobias, there is an exaggerated response to the stimuli that may worsen over time with repeated negative experience. There may be a predisposition in female dogs compared to males. Certain breeds, such as herding dogs, may also have a tendency to overreact to loud noises.

Dogs that have noise phobias often exhibit shaking and excessive panting. Some dogs may drool excessively too. They often try to hide under furniture or go into closets or the bathroom to escape the perceived threat of the random loud noise of fireworks. Some dogs will try to climb onto their owners for comfort. Others panic and try to escape by jumping off balconies or even crashing through glass windows or doors, resulting in injury or death.

Some of my clients have pets that are so negatively affected by the noise that they will relocate their pets out of the area for a week or two around the Fourth of July holiday.

There are three things that you can do that may help your pet get through fireworks season:

1. Behavioral and environmental therapy: This involves desensitizing your pet prior to the actual event by exposing them to very low levels of the noise that causes panic in a controlled setting while providing positive rewards. There are CD recordings of thunderstorms and fireworks that you can play at very low levels while rewarding your pet with treats and petting. As your pet becomes comfortable with the recorded noises, you can try gradually increasing the volume.

During the actual event of a fireworks show, you can modify the environment by closing the blinds to block the flashes of light, turn on some distracting sounds like easy listening music (by the way, reggae music was found to be the most relaxing music for dogs in a recent study who knew?). Covering your pet with a blanket may help block some of the noise. And last, but certainly not least, is to not leave you pet alone during major events. Nearly all noise phobic dogs become more afraid and panic when left without their humans around.

2. Natural remedies: These include herbal, aromatic and compression therapy. Certain herbal supplements, such as Rescue Remedy, can work in some pets. Essential peppermint oil properly diluted in safflower or coconut oil applied to the footpads has been used successfully in some dogs. (Never apply undiluted essential oil on your pet!) It is thought to work by distracting the dog and may also have some direct calming affect from the scent. Adaptil pheromone collars are effective in many dogs and are long lasting and safe.

Compression therapy is placing a very snug wrap around your dog, much like swaddling a baby with a blanket. Thundershirt is one brand that is widely available and many of my clients find these easy to use and effective.

3. Drugs: Even after desensitizing, natural remedies and environmental modification, there are still many dogs that are going to freak out with fireworks. These pets need prescription medicine. There are a few different categories of drugs that are used for noise phobias. Sedatives: For years pets were prescribed sedatives like Acepromazine for noise phobias. While usually safe for most pets, recent studies show that this class of drugs do not decrease anxiety, and may actually make pets more sensitive to loud noises. However, the only FDA approved drug for noise phobias in dogs at this time is a sedative that is given in very small doses, referred to as microdosing. Dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel, brand name Sileo, is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist that blocks norepinephrine release, thereby calming the pet. We have used this medicine for about a year at our hospital and have had success in most but not all noise phobic dogs.

Anxiolytics: These are medicines that reduce anxiety. Xanax, Prozac and Trazodone are examples of this class of drugs. These drugs may have a longer action and may be more appropriate for longer term use than other medicines in some patients.

While safe in healthy pets, always consult your veterinarian before you try any of these treatments for your individual pet.

Dr. Greg Perrault owns and operates Cats & Dogs Animal Hospital in Long Beach.

The rest is here:

DOGS AND CATS: Fireworks Noise Traumatizes Pets - Gazette Newspapers

Nathan Snoq, Gamers Guide 11:32 a.m. MT June 14, 2017

A scene from "Tsuro."(Photo: Submitted)

The concept of relaxing video games is a tough one to pin down. Many people out there who enjoy video games say that they like them because they provide a release- a way to forget the stresses of the day and get lost in a fantasy world. Yet, if youve ever taken the time to really look at someones face as they are playing a game then you will see that they rarely, if ever, have that peaceful, spa-day smile. Most video-game faces are either blank masks of concentration or gruesome contortions of frustration. Now, while there can be something relaxing about the total immersion that video games offer, even when the game is challenging, it is still rare to find a game that advertises itself as a peaceful experience and then actually delivers.

A scene from "Tsuro."(Photo: Submitted)

Such is the case with Tsuro, a mobile version of the immensely popular tabletop game. This is essentially a tile-placing game, with each square tile having two possible paths connecting to it and lines running over it. As you lay down more tiles you create longer, winding paths around the board. Given the amount of tiles there are and the number of shapes the possibilities for paths you can take are limitless, giving the game great replay value. The objective of the game changes between one of three different game modes, though in all of them the main goal is to stay on the board and place as many tiles as possible before you run out of room and your path leads you off the game. The challenge comes in planning out your moves in advance to stay on the board as long as possible, all the while adapting to tiles your opponents might place and thinking of ways you can run them off the board.

A scene from "Tsuro."(Photo: Submitted)

Tsuro is that rare blend of a game that is at once genuinely relaxing while being challenging at the same time. The beautiful art, soothing music, and overall minimalist aesthetic and strategy make this a game that can be genuinely relaxing. However, as soon as your opponent places a wrong tile in your path that ruins your plans to make a large loop and win the game all of that relaxation flies out the window and you find yourself silently, serenely, cursing the other player and immediately start plotting your revenge. While the one downside of the game is that the simple game design and gentle music does tend to get a little sleepy, the overall effect is relaxing, yet challenging: a difficult combination.

There is no objectionable content throughout the game.

3 out of 5 stars

At once peaceful yet challenging and a little frustrating, Tsuro impresses with its minimalist-yet-inexhaustible game design. Available on most mobile devices for $2.99.

Nathan Snow is a freelance writer for Where Its @.Follow him on twitter @nathanssnow

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'Tsuro': As close as we'll ever get to a truly zen-like game - St. George Daily Spectrum

Stress eats away at us. It stops us from sleeping. It takes away our appetite. But how do we combat stress? Netflix? Social media? Alcohol?

I find that what most relieves stress is also what can cause it. Books. Whether youre revising for an exam or writing an essay, books can make you feel under pressure and anxious. But stray from your textbooks and anthologies and youll find that books can actually solve the problem.

Colouring is one of the best ways to relax and keep your mind active

We can probably all remember having colouring books when we were little but whether you spent hours perfecting a picture or just scribbled all over it, colouring is one of the best ways to relax and keep your mind active. In the past few years, this activity has had a surge in popularity among people of all ages as they rediscover their youth and wind down after a long day.

Even if youre not creative at all, colouring is the perfect way to forget about exams and lose yourself in a multi-coloured design of your own. Adult colourig books are available in a massive variety of topics,so whether youre into retro patterns, Disney princesses or cars, youll be able to find the perfect colouring book to help you unwind.

Books can take you to a place like nothing else can

Similarly, how about taking your stress out on books themselves? Wreck This Journal is a book by the acclaimed artist Keri Smith in which she urges you to do more and more daring and creative acts to her book, which you will eventually destroy. Have you ever wanted to write between the lines, poke holes in pages and paint a book with coffee? This books actively encourages you to do all these things and more, to unleash your inner artist.

My last morsel of advice is that if you are a bookworm like me, then books can take you to a place that nothing else can. They can take you to your favourite country, a brand new world or they can simply take you home. So, re=reading an old favourite can help you relax and feel more comfortable in the familiar. Whether its Roald Dahl or Enid Blyton, Tolkien or Plath, unwind with an old friend.

Go outside, and be with friends

The best way to combat stress is to merge any of these methods with two simple things: go outside, and be with friends. Wreck a journal in a park. Colour in a picture with some relaxing music. Read a good book. Be well.

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Books to beat the stress - The Boar

Video-streaming site YouTube is a valuable advertising platform for its parent company Google, with hundreds of millions of hours of videos uploaded generating billions of views.

According to World Wide Worx and Fuseware, South Africa had 8.28 million YouTube users in 2016.

Talk Radio 702 interviewed Google South Africa country director, Luke Mckend, on how South Africans can make money on the video platform.

In December, Forbes released its list of top-earning YouTube stars in 2016, with the worlds most popular internet star taking home over $15 million (R204 million).

Swedish Lets Play YouTuber, Felix Kjellberg known as PewDiePie retained the top spot on the list, leveraging his sizeable audience to make money beyond YouTube revenue made from people watching him play video games online.

The YouTube star extended his reach through branded mobile games, and even published a book, taking his total earnings for the year up to $15 million (up from the $12 million he made in 2015).

This is significantly higher than anyone else on the list almost double 2016s number 2, Roman Atwood, a popular vlogger (video blogger) and prankster, who earned $8 million.

Mckend said that it is possible to generate a livable income from YouTube in South Africa. You really have to think very carefully about the kind of content you are going to create. Folks who are able to make a living off YouTube really reach international audiences.

He said the model works in such a way that YouTube places an advert that either appears before a video or an advert appears just to the right of the screen a static display advert.

We give the content creator a cut from that particular advertisement, Mckend said.

Each individual advert, he pointed out, is a relatively small sum of money. So for someone to make a genuine living from YouTube, you need to be delivering millions and millions of views.

He said that, in a South African market, delivering those kinds of hits is difficult. The guys who have been super successful, have reached an international audience, Mckend said.

The Google exec pointed to channels like Kruger Sightings which appeals to a wide audience including people from the US and UK, and Yellow Brick Cinema which generates relaxing music, reaching a global audience.

When questioned how much a person can make from uploading content, Mckend said: Each individual play you are talking about very small percentages of a rand. The last time I looked at this in any detail, you would probably get paid something in the region of R1,000 per million viewsthats an estimate.

Mckend said that the way people make money from YouTube though has very little to do with the advertising. He said that many content generators are creating ecosystems around their content that enables them to monetize what they do.

He cited SuzelleDIY as an example. She has created a brand that has launched her into television. She is making a lot more money from her activities surrounding her YouTube channel than from the channel itself.

Mckend cautioned that it only shares money with content providers if an advert is viewed to its conclusion or if it is viewed for more than 30 seconds. He said the reason for this is that Google only charges advertisers for the placement if the advert it watched to its conclusion.

Read: These are the most-watced YouTube videos in South Africa in 2016

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How to make money on YouTube in South Africa - BusinessTech

Wolves in the Throne Room play black metal at Neumos on June 15.

When the founders of Southwest Terror Fest set their sights on Seattle as the location of a Northwest edition, Joe Schafer, a frequent contributor to The Stranger's music section, was one of the local metal brain-trustees they assembled to help him pull it off. (Others include Tanner Ellison from KEXP's Seek and Destroy, Joe Grindo from the bands Samothrace and Theories, and Islander, who edits the online metal webzine No Clean Singing.)

Because I am the least metal person in North America, it fell to me to ask young Schafer to explain this new but already popular festival.

Where did your interest in this form of music begin?

I'm almost 30 now, but like a great many people my age, I grew up listening to mainstream rock radio. On the way to and from school or soccer practice, heavy guitar musicmetal bands, reallywere the soundtrack just about as soon as I got too old to listen to the soundtrack to The Lion King on cassette. Metallica's self-titled record and its seemingly infinite supply of great singles dominated the radio, as did the breakout artists from Seattle at the time: Soundgarden and Alice in Chains. In retrospect, I think of the word "grunge" as a marketing term, not a genre. Nirvana was a punk band. Pearl Jam was a classic-style monster-rock band. Alice in Chains and Soundgarden were, among other things, metal bands. When the next wave of those bands, things like Nickelback, hit, I found them uninteresting, so I kept looking for artists that sounded like the heavier grunge and California thrash bands: Faith No More, Megadeth, Slayer. Those bands led me to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, classic progressive-rock bands, new wave, punk, goth, and alternative rock. They led me further down the amplifier-worship rabbit hole at the same time. Most of those sounds appear on Terror Fest to some extent, but obviously extreme heavy metal is the organizing principle.

For the uninitiated, what distinguishes the bands in Terror Fest from more traditional metal, or even the more specific subgenres?

The calling card of extreme heavy metal and hardcore punk is the harsh vocal style, distinct from what metal heads commonly refer to as "clean" singing, which most rock bands employ. Many people say that harsh vocals remind them of Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. These vocals can be difficult for many people to register for two reasons. The lyrics are often unintelligible at first listen. Also, they operate with timbres that are almost unheard of in the Western musical tradition, though they do exist in a few folk traditions such as the throat singers of Tibet. I've been listening to harsh singing for so long that I can understand most words very easily, and now I find it quite relaxing, beautiful, and passionate when well-executed. Of course, this sort of music can also inspire fear, but that's part of the pointfear is exciting. Metal and punk are the horror and thriller films of music, so tension and release are very important, as opposed to immediate gratification.

Many Terror Fest bands also play in exaggerated tempos. Noisear, for example, includes Bryan Fajardo, one of the fastest drummers in the world. They play a hyper-quick subgenre called grindcore or just grind for short. Other bands like Lycus or Seattle's own Samothrace employ very long songs at very slow tempos, only a handful of beats per minute. They play a subgenre called doom, which often is a direct echo of Black Sabbath's more dramatic songs. Both of these extreme tempos can create a meditative feeling that is not frequent in pop music and absent from the hard rock radio metal that I grew up with.

Do you find Seattle generally hospitable to metal-related subcultures? As you mentioned, heaviness is prominent in the city's musical DNA, but metal seems to alienate more people than it attracts, sonically and culturally. In the historic divide between metal and punk, Seattle has long seemed to come down on the side of punk. Do you agree? Why do you suppose that is?

I've been documenting the Seattle heavy-music scene for some time now, and I think Seattle and especially the Pacific Northwest at large (Portland, Olympia, Vancouver, BC) has a tremendous fondness for metal as a music and aesthetic culture. Seattle's metal scene is world-class, on par with other US hotbeds like Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, as well as the genre's meccas in Scandinavia. This city hosts great metal gigs weekly in each of the genre's various sub-styles, many of which owe as much to punk as they do to metal.

I hear that metal used to be a genre for jocks. That hasn't been true during my adulthood. This genre has a welcoming and deeply inquisitive community of fans and musicians. In terms of the community, it functions much more like electronica was in the late 1990s and early '00s in that respect. It's not popular music as people otherwise know it, but it's definitely intended for popular consumption.

I'm aware that in the genre's commercial peak in the 1980s, metal and punk were diametrically opposed. That said, I also know that the two have been growing slowly together ever since. The political divides are being erased. Ever since Slayer, the two genres have been conjoined twins, really. Styles like crust, grind, sludge, and doom draw from the two genre traditions equally. In Seattle, the two scenes intermingle and overlap a great deal in my experience, especially at venues like Highline or Victory Lounge. The Terror Fest lineup is friendly to both metalheads and punks, and that the two scenes intersect so much in Seattle is part of what made it an attractive city for a festival like this.

In a scene up to its eyeballs in festivals, why is this one important?

You're right on the money that there are a ton of festivals right now. I assume you're referring to events like Bumbershoot, Sasquatch!, and even the Capitol Hill Block Party, locally. Those are all great events, and they even book a handful of metal acts regularly. That's awesome, because those events are a platform for bands to reach an audience they otherwise would not.

Terror Fest comes from a different genre-specific tradition. Destination metal festivals are opportunities for people who love the genre to experience a lot of it at once, surrounded by their peers. They're also a great way for more casual listeners to deeply immerse themselves in metal culture. They're also a great opportunity for these bands to play venues they otherwise would not.

Bands like Cliterati or Nomads play punk houses and diveswe're putting them in one of the most beautiful venues in the city with an incredibly powerful sound system. There are many such festivals in the United States, but none really in the Pacific Northwest on this scale. There was a festival last year in Olympia called Migration that was similar, but it's moving to the East Coast, where there are more events like this. For Seattle, this will be a unique experience. My hope is to make it a beloved part of this city's musical year for everyone. The weekend the metalheads come out in force and let their freak flags fly.

Three days, three clubs, nearly 40 bands: How did you know the festival would sustain such a big footprintand, actually, do you know that it will?

Cities of Seattle's size in other parts of the country sustain festivals like this. LA has several in different subgenres. Compared to a few festivals, especially the massive European camping festivals like Wacken, our lineup is restrained. The advantage of our size is that we can book three full days of all killer bands. I don't think there's a dud on the list. As for ticket sales, our weekend passes to all three venuesNeumos, Barboza, Highlineare completely sold out. There are still individual day passes available, though. Each day has its own specific flavor or attitude, and I expect there's going to be people who only want to attend one or two days to catch a handful of bands, rather than spend the weekend and sample new sounds.

To be completely candid, there are only three artists on the schedule that I've heard or even heard of (Cephalic Carnage, Marissa Nadler, and Heiress), and generally speaking, I dislike metal in a really visceral, cellular way. What bands or bills in the festival would you recommend to help turn me around?

I'm glad you asked. There are a few really interesting and compelling acts on the bill that you cannot see elsewhere. The Thursday headliner at Neumos, Wolves in the Throne Room, play meditative black metal with an ecological bent. They write long, beautiful, and melodic songs and perform with an intense stage atmosphere, with fog and pine branches draped across the stage. Seeing them feels like attending some sort of ritual in the middle of a pine grove. They're one of my favorite groups and, as far as black metal goes, very accessible.

Local band Bell Witch will perform a collaboration set with Aerial Ruin, a solo folk artist, as a power trio. That set will be one to remember. Bell Witch's bassist, Dylan Desmond, is one of the best musicians I have ever seen. Their drummer, Jesse Schreibman, plays drums and organ at the same time. Their songs are long and sad but full of rich melody from the 1970s progressive-rock tradition. They play the doom metal equivalent of, like, the soundtrack to a Studio Ghibli film. That set can't be missed.

Coven, the Saturday night headliner, played psychedelic, occult-themed rock music before Black Sabbath did. This will be their first US show in 27 years. Their singer, Jinx Dawson, still has it: the voice, the charisma. By all accounts their show at Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands was a force of nature. They're a piece of history, and their influence has only grown over time.

Last, a special shout-out to Fucked and Bound, who don't even have a record out yet. They're a side project featuring members of Seattle bands Witch Ripper and He Whose Ox Is Gored. Their singer, Lisa Mungo, only screams in F&B, and the whole band seems to have a righteously feminist bent. It's very aggressive music, but cathartic and empowering as hell. Seeing them on that big stage is going to be like seeing Wonder Woman on the big screen, finally.

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Northwest Terror Fest Proves Metal Isn't Just for Jocks Anymore - TheStranger.com

It wasnt until The Weeknd broke into Cant Feel My Face just before 11:30 p.m. on the final night of Bonnaroo that I realized what a dancing sea of 65,000 people looks like.

Its an insane sight.

Somehow, the headliners crooning falsetto brought an energy back to the final hours of the festival. An energy that the sun among other things had drained.

The previous 80 hours had been filled with dancing, drinking, reading, tanning and napping. We had happily endured the 14-hour drive down to Manchester, Tennessee, waking up at 8 a.m. from the blistering heat inside our tent and walking for miles around the festival grounds.

That Sunday night, it felt like only a few hours had passed since our camping neighbors arrival early Thursday afternoon slapping bags of Franzia and demolishing cases of Bud Light.

For me, thats when Bonnaroo officially began.

By the time the lines of cars had been searched, the rows of campsites had been set up and the first cold ones had been cracked open with the boys, wed managed to haul our tired bodies to where all the magic happened: Centeroo.

A Christmas-themed club in a barn, silent disco, Ferris wheel and a sand-filled oasis were all there to enjoy between the stages. Giant burritos, loaded fries, face-sized slices of pizza and smoothies were available to scarf down.

After a bit of exploring, it was time for Mondo Cozmos set. Teasing their upcoming debut album, they played their hit, Shine, a few slow jams and even a cover of Bitter Sweet Symphony. It was a lovely, energetic folk rock set, and I hope they graduate from This tent next time around.

No, Im not just forgetting the name of the stage. That was its name or This was. What, Which, This, That and Other were some of the venues scattered across Centeroo.

While the stages names were clever, they made rendezvousing hard. Imagine trying to wrangle sheep inebriated sheep at that when the answer to, Which stage are they playing on? is simply, Yes.

Other than a few EDM sets, Mondo Cozmos incredible show and a missed Hippo Campus set, there wasnt much going on Thursday night. But that didnt stop campers.

Bellows of Bonna-WHAT? Bonna-ROO! and LETS GOOOO echoed between the tents of college-aged attendees. Ringing in my ears, the battle cries continued into the early morning.

But the festival spirit never dies, right? And who was I to kill it? Hell, if I hadnt just driven until my body was numb, I mightve joined in. After a quick three hours of sleep, day two began.

My Friday schedule kicked off with Cold War Kids. Having played the festival in 07 and 11, the morning set was cake for the Californian band.

Opening with the driving All This Could Be Yours, and ending with the well-known First, they breezed through their set list. Crowds gathered for new tracks Love Is Mystical and So Tied Up.

Then the firstfestival dilemmas began.

We missed James Vincent McMorrow for Kaleos insanely passionate, bluesy set. We sacrificed half of Tove Los show to catch the soul of Anglique Kidjo. We even listened to Gallant from afar to snag a better spot for Glass Animals.

Scheduling conflicts are unavoidable with a great lineup, but one thing was for certain there was no missing U2.

Playing under a full moon, the bands performance of The Joshua Tree in its entirety was magical. Met with a handful of other classics like Vertigo, One and Beautiful Day, their set was a festival highlight.

Its now time for an unpopular opinion: Chance the Rapper was a little disappointing. Since we could hear our own breathing over his set, we decided to leave.

This may have been the best decision of the weekend (other than bringing excess toilet paper).

Plopping down in a bean bag, we were delighted when the bluesy, Californian rock sound of Cloves hit us at the New Music On Tap Lounge. Although we were already laying on the ground, we were floored by her soulful voice.

When it came time to rage with Cage the Elephant, front man Matt Shultzs energy kept everyone on their feet, even if they (myself included) could only belt Aint No Rest for the Wicked. There couldnt have been a better opener for the power that is Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The funky rock quartet could have recorded a live Greatest Hits album. Opening with Can't Stop, Dani California and Scar Tissue, I was already blown away. After bassist Flea handstand-ed his way back onto the stage, the band closed with Goodbye Angels and Give It Away.

When Sunday arrived, we decided to camp out on the grass for both Milky Chance and Lorde.

While my body was ready to head back, my ears couldnt wait for The Weeknd and we patiently stayed. Every minute was worth it when the lights went down, the drums of Starboy filled the speakers and the denim vest-clad singer took the stage.

Without stopping, the set flowed from Party Monster and Often to Wicked Games, before closing with 2015s The Hills.

The artists sultry and powerful voice was both relaxing and energizing. It didnt waver once, giving me one last rush before starting the long, sad trek back to Minnesota.

I dont think I truly appreciated the magic of Bonnaroo until I arrived back home 14 hours later and washed the dirt which posed as a deep Southern tan away in a much-needed shower.

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Bonnaroo or bust: A reflection on the four-day music festival in Tennessee - Minnesota Daily

It's been three years since one of country music's biggest female superstars you know her for can't-help-but-make-you-smile hits like "Suds in the Bucket" and "Born to Fly" released an album, but that doesn't mean that Sara Evans hasn't been busy. Not only has she been recording a brand new collection of tunes for her album, Words, which drops July 21 and features 14 female singer-songwriters (#badass), but she's also partnered with One Hope to develop a signature wine. And since Sara's a big cabernet sauvignon girl, that's exactly what you'll get out of the bottle.

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This isn't a "slap your name on the bottle and hope it tastes good" type of partnership, though. "It's my new favorite wine and my biggest indulgence," says Evans. And the proceeds help fund the CMA Foundation, which focuses on improving and sustaining music education programs across the country.

Plus, Evans says vino is a big part of her weeknight wind-down with her husband of nine years, Jay Barker. "When we got married, it was an instant blended family of 7 kids, so we've never lived alone," she says. (Evans has three children from a previous marriage, Barker has four.) "Early on we decided [to]go outside every night and have our glass or two of red wine. It's relaxing and it's just our time to connect."

So what else does this country star eat on the reg? Just wait 'til you find out.

While a lot of celebs talk about eating mostly vegetarian or opting for white meat over red, Evans isn't one of them. "We have steak a lot," she says. A favorite way to make it? With Dale sauce, a Southern staple. "We use it with every meat that we make and it's so delicious," she says. "I'll just get these big rib-eyes and pour Dale sauce on it, just in a regular baking dish, and bake it on 350 for an hour or so. It's unbelievable; it's just unreal. I can't even describe to you how yummy it is."

With such high praise for Dale sauce, I thought there wouldn't be room for much else in Evans' sauce arsenal, but I, of course, was wrong. (Duh, why limit yourself if you don't have to?) Everyone in Evans' family is a big fan of Yum Yum Sauce, another Southern recipe often made by whisking tomato paste, melted butter, garlic powder, paprika, mayonnaise, sugar, cayenne pepper, and water together until smooth. "The kids are furious if we don't have yum-yum [in the house]," she says.

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But this isn't a frail, no-calorie iceberg-lettuce salad. "I'll do spinach or a fresh mix, and we always do feta cheese, bacon bits, croutons," she says. "It's not a light salad, it's a delicious salad." Evans likes to top it off with a blush wine-poppyseed vinaigrette made by a woman in her local community of Mountain Brook, Alabama, and with that coupled with a steak I'm ready for dinner at the Evans-Barker house.

Forget restaurants you're way more likely to find Evans in the kitchen, even with a busy touring schedule. "We're kind of food snobs not in the sense that we eat fancy food, but just that we don't like restaurant food that much," says Evans. "So I like to try to cook at least three nights a week, just to feel better about myself as a mom. And it's much less expensive, you know what you're getting, you know what you're feeding them."

Hey, you've gotta give it to a girl who knows what she likes and sticks to it. "I'm very bland; I don't waver a lot," she says. "One thing I always like to always have in my house is fresh deli turkey meat. I love to make a tortilla with turkey and cheese and mayonnaise."

Another staple? Salty snacks. "I love plain Lays potato chips that's like my favorite food," she says. "Like I said, I'm more of a plain food person, and I always go for white stuff. So if it is sweet, I like a powdered donut instead of a chocolate donut[instead of] chocolate-covered pretzels, I love yogurt-covered pretzels."

Celebs are known for experimenting with fad diets, but Evans follows one that hasn't quite made headlines: "I call it the growl diet, and you just don't eat until your stomach growls," she says. "It's your body's natural way of saying 'I need food, it's empty.' And you eat until you're full, until you're satisfied, and then you don't eat until you're empty again. It's just totally, you know, like gas in the car."

And, yes, Evans is fully aware that her diet doesn't work for everyone. "A lot of people freak out when I say that I do that [and] they're like, 'It's so bad for you' and 'You should eat five meals a day and never go more than three hours without eating.' But anytime I've tried that or said 'OK, I'm going to cut out carbs' I just tend to overeat on what I'm allowed to eat. I would [end up having] to really, really, exercise like a ton, every single day, burning a ton of calories, in order to balance it."

Which is why, at the end of the day, Evans says it's best to just do you. "Go with what your body is telling you and how you're feeling," she says. "You should just really pay attention to how your body feels."

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This Is What Country Music Star Sara Evans Really Eats In a Week - Redbookmag.com (blog)

Bartley Healthcare, 175 Bartley Road, Jackson, is partnering with the Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus Geriatrics Institute to host an educational seminar at 3 p.m. June 30. Presenters will discuss the capabilities and services of the new Geriatrics Institute at MMCSC. To reserve a place at the seminar, call Lindsay Constantino at 732-370-4700, ext. 1368, by June 26.

DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson, will host a church rummage sale and car wash on July 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a food concession available. All are welcome to attend. Details: debowsumc.org

Companion Animal Rescue and Education (CARE) will hold a puppy adoption event at Petco, 4345 Route 9 North, Freehold Township, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 24. To see available puppies, visit http://www.carenj.com

The Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, will host a Peek Into The Past program at 6:30 p.m. July 6 to examine the history of Howell. The theme of this years reading program is Building a Better World. Howell will be seen through photos, stories and displays. Don McGirr will speak about the village of Blue Ball and the Bethesda cemetery. The free program is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

The Monmouth County Park System will host an Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17 at Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck. There will be new items, furniture, antiques, novelties and more. Details: http://www.MonmouthCountyParks.com

The Monmouth County Fair will run from July 26-30 at the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township.Admission is $8 per person. Children 12 and under are free. The fair gate will be open from 5-11 p.m. July 26-28; from 3-11 p.m. July 29; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 30. Entries will be accepted for the Home and Garden competition. To download a brochure, visit http://www.MonmouthCountyFair.com

The Genealogical Society of New Jersey will hold its 2017 genealogy seminar on June 17 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 303 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The seminar will feature lectures about New Jersey resources, World War I, Ellis Island, Dutch ancestors and research skills. Details and tickets: http://gsnj.org/2017-seminar/

The Jim Hall Memorial Homeless Vets Motorcycle Run and BBQ/Picnic will be held at noon June 24 at Jackson Elks Lodge No. 2744, 1059 East Veterans Highway, Jackson. Tickets are $25. Registration for the ride starts at 9 a.m. and the ride kicks off at 10 a.m. Food, beverages, entertainment by the Mangos and vendors. Proceeds of the day benefit homeless veterans. Details: joelamo90@gmail.com

The Jackson Library will host the seventh annual Verity Academy Piano Recital from 2-4 p.m. June 17. Classical music will be performed by students of the Verity Academy. All ages welcome. Registration required. To register, call 732-928-4400 and press option 4.

On June 28 from 1-2:30 p.m., the Jackson Library will host an education program, Effective Communication Strategies: Alzheimers Disease, presented by the Alzheimers Association. Attendees will learn how people with dementia communicate using attitude, tone, facial expression and body language. The program is for adults. Registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400, option 4.

On June 28 at 6:30 p.m., the Jackson Library will host a workshop from Ocean County SCORE that is designed to educate entrepreneurs and help small businesses start, grow and succeed. The program is for adults. Registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400; option 4.

The Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will sponsor a member and family picnic at Oak Tree Lodge, Wall Township, on June 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be food, entertainment, games and activities. The cost is $5 for members; non-member guests, $35. Children under 5 are free. Guests age 5 to 11 are $15 per person. Details: Sue, 732 995-7754.

The Jackson Library will host a Red Cross blood drive from 2-7 p.m. July 31. Anyone who is at least 17 years old, weighs a minimum of 110 pounds and is in generally good health can donate blood. All blood types are needed. Donors should bring a photo ID. Visit http://www.redcross.org to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.

Look for turtles, egrets, herons, ospreys and other wildlife during a boat tour of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Each 45-minute tour leaves from the Visitor Center, Windeler Road, Howell. Tours are offered at the top of the hour from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, May 6 through Sept. 4. Wednesday tours are offered at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. from July 5 through Aug. 30. Evening tours are offered on the first Friday of each month May through September; call 732-751-9453 as times vary for the evening tours. All tours are weather and water level dependent. The fee is $6 per adult and $4 per child age 12 and under.

A coloring for adults program will be held at the Jackson Library from 10-11:30 a.m. June 20. Rediscover the joys of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies provided along with light refreshment and relaxing music. Adults 18 and over. Seating limited. Registration required. Details: 732-928-4400.

Adults 18 and over can create their own rainbow clay necklace at 2 p.m. June 22 at the Jackson Library. Supplies provided. Seating is limited. Registration required. Details: 732-928-4400.

The Jackson Librarys knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.

New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.

St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, offers support groups to help people better understand their feelings and to meet others who are dealing with the same life issues. A bereavement support group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. and a divorced and separated support group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Both meetings are held in the parish office. A freewill donation of $5 is requested. Details: Email St AloysiusGonzagaGroup@gmail.com.

Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@newspapermediagroup.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.

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Tri-Town News Datebook, June 14 - centraljersey.com

Centre Daily Times

Centre County summer concert series offer free family fun Centre Daily Times JoAnn Knupp, one of the concert series organizers, said the Talleyrand Park setting is a perfect place to enjoy music and connect with neighbors. There's nothing more relaxing than a nice, warm Sunday evening sitting in your favorite chair listening ...

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Centre County summer concert series offer free family fun - Centre Daily Times

Have you ever been to Zapopan? Its in Mexico (not the same as Puerto Rico, Catelynn!) and Im out here because my husbands niece just graduated from medical school. Its a lovely place and from what Im told has some of the most amazing sunsets in the world. I wouldnt know though because last night, while everyone was oohing and aahing over the glorious pinks and reds that stained the sky, I was busy using the last of my data refreshing Amber Portwoods Twitter account, hoping and praying that shed released a message saying, Its over, you guys. And Im doing better than ever! (Remember to check foreverhaute.com for the hottest fashions and accessories. Coupon code: MattIsLiteralGarbage!)"

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Alas, this missive never came. And when I went to bed at an unreasonable hour, cranky because I have now become too invested in a show that I never watched before I started recapping it, my husband gently suggested that I maybe take a step back and take a look at my life choices.

But how can I when theres so much going on? Catelynns enrolled Nova in a day care that will teach her to wash her hands! Amber and Matts relationship is falling apart in a documented way that she cant just brush off as editing! Maci is out here drinking beer and being reasonable! And Furnished by Farrah is thisclose to giving up her dreams of being a doctor/international yogurt mogul to become a hypnotherapist. I can feel it in my bones. Can you?

Anyway, heres what happened:

Nova is old enough to start day care, so Catelynn and Tyler are enrolling her at a nearby center three times a week. The center is pretty bomb; theyve got all the toys Ive always wanted.

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The thing I like most about this day care is that aside from teaching kids how to share, solve problems, and enhance their cognitive abilities (I hope that means MagnaTiles; I used to work at a preschool and sometimes I would get so into those things that Id convince the actual kids to give me theirs so I could finish my mansion with three-car garage before we had to put them away), the center also boasts that theyll teach kids how to wash their hands. Shouldnt that be implicit? If Im sending my kid to be watched by others, Id like to assume that its a given theyll be washing their hands after they poop, pee, or stick their entire finger up their nose and then wipe whatever treasures they find within on the nearest adults face as a sign of affection. Actually, you know what? Id respect it more if the day cares website proudly proclaimed that they teach kids not to wipe their nose on other people. Thats the kind of shit kids need to learn.

OK, thats it! Bye, Catelynn! See you in New York!

Who else was hoping that this would be the week that Maci, Ryan, Jenn, Larry, and that snake Mackenzie would all get together and have a talk about Ryans future? I know this show is all about real life and not just manufactured drama (because Jaala is on vacation or something; where is she?), but almost every episode has been promising us a big ol blowout, and all were getting is Maci and T-Money visiting a shrink, who cries because their love is so beautiful, and throwing birthday parties in their backyard, which has a really nice pool. (In my notes Ive actually written, Maci has a nice pool, I would swim in it, so that should inform you of the level of drama we are dealing with here.)

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Speaking of backyards, its T-Moneys birthday, so Maci takes him golfing and then surprises him with a special party at their house (which is not really a surprise because all four of their friends have parked in their driveway). Bentley gives T-Money a card that neither of us can really read but says some stuff about how hes the best stepdad, and then nice, relaxing music plays as we are reminded just how great and loving the Bookout-McKinney relationship is and how we should all strive for something similar. Whatever. Wheres Mackenzie when you need her? I was hoping shed be hiding in the bushes la Sean Spicer, twirling her evil mustache and plotting ways to get her own spin-off, but no. What are you doing, girl? You wanted to be on TV! This is your chance and youre being upstaged by Farrahs hypnotherapist!

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We open on Amber lying to herself and others by stating that she and Matt are better than ever and that all the hurt from the past few weeks when Matt called her a fucking psycho and then accused her of humiliating him because Amber wanted her child at her wedding is suddenly gone. If my husband called me a psycho to anyone even though he has a point because I run a secluded motel to which I lure lonely travelers to murder while wearing my mothers clothes on the side (its a down economy) I would certainly not be OK with it just a few weeks later. In fact, I might never be OK with it. Amber and the fucking albatross who used her to write a book in which he is pasty and naked on the cover for no reason though? Theyre booking wedding venues for Friday the 13 because they are cool and hip and edgy, and possibly because Amber is hoping that someone will crash the event in a Jason mask and just take Matt out with a hockey stick or whatever that guy uses.

Here are some details from Matt and Ambers upcoming wedding: The venue is 48 floors above the ground; 130 people are invited (not me, though :/); Amber is renting out a hotel so all the guests can enjoy free accommodations, and also there will be a special room for kids to play in thats staffed by nannies who will put them to bed; oh, and its not. Fucking. Happening.

Listen, this wedding should have been canceled seasons ago, but every episode it isnt, I get more and more anxious. What if she goes through with it? What will be the last straw? Why wasnt it Matt trying to sleep with Farrah? Why wasnt it Matt lying about his past? Why wasnt it Matt calling Amber names? Or Matt trying to pressure Amber into a wedding? Why isnt it Matt refusing to go to counseling? Amber has had reason to break up with this trash monster since the beginning, but now its been three years, and she may feel like shes in too deep.

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Speaking of: Matts reticence to see a therapist is especially suspect. Ambers out here telling the guy she has problems trusting him, that shes on five medications, that shed like to start their wedded life together on the right foot by working through the issues they have, and hes all, Nah, thats for losers. First, not true; second, uh, you have lots of stuff to talk to a therapist with, Matt. Have you watched the show?

Oh wait, whats this? Matts even shadier than we thought? Yep, because while he and Amber are on a press trip to New York (question: Why cant Amber go anywhere on her own?) Matt supplies Catelynn, whos having a panic attack, with a Xanax that he was never supposed to have because he is in recovery! And then he lies about it to everyone and tries to make it Amber's fault! (Hes since blamed the Las Vegas trip and this latest fiasco on the fact that, yeah, hed totally relapsed.)

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When Amber finds out that Matt is now doling out drugs to her castmates, she's understandably livid and confused. She and Matt have a discussion in which he, for some reason not known to the rest of the modern world, refers to himself as daddy and demands that Amber agree that theyre still getting married. She says its not happening good and he says, Oh, but it was one mistake. Yeah, a mistake that happens every other fucking week.

What about all the questions youre going to get? Matt asks, thinking again only of his own reputation and not the fact that he is lying to Amber, messing with her sobriety, and handing out pills.

Im going to lie, Amber responds, which is both heartbreaking and says a lot about how honest she is in interviews. I get her though. Telling the truth might be good TV, but this is actually Ambers life and shes just trying to get by in a situation that most of us will never have to handle. Tip to anyone going on a reality show: Never date a superfan.

Matt freaks out because Amber is miked when they have this talk, but I feel like hes being manipulative here too. If anyone calls him out on anything later, he can just say hes mad because Amber broadcast a private conversation to the rest of the world and blame it all on her again, even though she isnt the one popping Xannies with Catelynn.

This is exhausting but it isnt over yet. Matt gets Catelynn involved (she is miked) and she begins to apologize for causing problems, which Matt loves. Then Matt cleverly tells Cate that, yo, the drugs werent even for him, they were for Amber who gets nervous on planes (even though she was fine on the Puerto Rico trip?) and that he was going to give them to her if she freaked out. It is at this point that I started screaming, LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! so loudly that my husband holed himself up in the hotel bathroom until he was certain that the carnage had ended.

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Let me break it down for you: Amber doesnt take drugs. At all. Last season, she refused painkillers after plastic surgery because she didnt want to relapse. This season, she refused to take painkillers when she had a toothache so bad it made her weep. Why in the hell, then, would she be taking a Xanax? Matt knows this! But he also knows that to people who dont know or understand Ambers sobriety (Im sure Catelynn doesnt watch this show as carefully as we recappers do), taking a benzo to relax wouldnt seem to out of the ordinary. What the fuck is wrong with this guy? (Answer: Everything.)

All I was doing was helping my friends! Matt pleads, but Amber isnt having any of it, calling off the wedding because, according to her, Matt is a junkie, and no amount of spin is going to change that. And while she keeps her word and says nice stuff about their relationship in her interviews, Matt continues raging behind the scenes.

Give me five minutes with the press, Ill tell her what shes really like, Matt hisses and Ive got to hand it to the editors, theyre doing their best giving him enough rope to hang himself. Part of me believes that this isnt just about good TV they really want him gone too. At this point, even Catelynn and Maci have given up their whole the first year of marriage is the hardest schtick and have finally started getting worried for Amber. Because you know what? We should all be. And if youre one of those people tweeting they just dont understand your love to her, you should stop. Because none of this is OK.

For some reason or another, Farrah was not invited on the press tour possibly to build up drama about whether she was returning? so shes got a busy week of torturing others ahead of her.

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She begins by insisting that Sophia wants to be an actress, even though Sophia is less in love with this idea than being in her grandmas rap video. This kid knows whats up, but her mom has decided that shes got the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to be the next Jonathan Lipnicki and his adorably giant head. Of course, Sophia, who has been well trained in the art of not doing what she doesnt want to, pretends to be asleep when its time to hit the stage, so Farrah has to force her downstairs via a complicated series of levers, pullies, and a bellman who rolls Sophia to the car in his cart, thinking about his tip the entire time.

The things I do for my little boo boo, Farrah croons.

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At the acting lesson Farrah greets the teacher with a good day, which is probably the funniest thing I have ever seen we learn that Sophia has poor diction (fine, she is 7), no natural aptitude for the stage or screen (she doesnt want to be here anyway), and doesnt know how to emote or enunciate. The teacher, who, like the bellman, is only thinking about getting paid at this point, is just sitting there waiting for the entire thing to be over. When Farrah breezes in expecting him to quietly take her aside and inform her that in his years of teaching that hes never seen anyone quite like Sophia, he tells her that what Sophia did was very raw which is something you generally say about either (1) adult actors who do one of those prestige roles where they break the hell down and cry a lot because a dingo ate their baby, or (2) when you have nothing else to say and maybe shell be a good stagehand just doesnt sound polite.

Bolstered by Sophias Oscar-caliber performance, Farrah takes her to the rental house she owns so she can inform the tenants the shes moving on in and theyre moving on up (to a deluxe apartment literally anywhere else). But instead, she just says some stuff about how they can paint if they want to (even if theyre only going to be there for another two months? Why paint then?) and then asks where all her beautiful Furnished by Farrah furniture is. The tenants have put it in the garage.

Sophia asks when she can move in, and Farrah gets really angry that she mentions this, and so everyone is really confused by everything, because wasnt the whole point of this visit to evict these people? And why didnt Farrah ask the rental company, who seems to be managing everything, to do it?

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Finally, Farrah and Simon meet for (possibly?) the last time. Theyre joined by this seasons opportunistic hanger-on, hypnotherapist Kevin Stone, whos there to help them break up once and for all. He gives Simon some words about how he really needs to be true to himself and feel his hurt, and then puts both of them under, so they can get this breakup party started. When they both wake, Simon takes off his mic to go forever and Farrah tells him to enjoy the rest of your day. She thinks the therapy worked but the rest of us know the truth: Kevin Stones promises are bullshit (this is coming from someone who believes in hypnotherapy), its the humiliation Simon's just had to sit through thats really made Simons decision for him.

Does Simon love Farrah? The jury may always be out on that one. But I dont think well be seeing him much anymore.

Follow Mark on Twitter and Cosmo Celeb on Facebook.

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Amber Finally Calls Off Her Wedding on Teen Mom OG - Cosmopolitan.com