There is nothing like a great barbecue with family, friends, and neighbors. Barbecuing techniques include smoking, roasting or baking, braising and grilling. We traveled across the US looking for the best.
Sugarfire Smokehouse Barbecue
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Road Trip Cherie and Tammy Forchion
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Sugarfire Smokehouse
St. Louis is known for its arch and barbecue. Today I enjoy the meal with my sister Cherie. This being a late Sunday afternoon we realize that many locations are not open, but find one near the ball field, SugarFire SmokeHouse BBQ!
This is an award-winning restaurant under Chef Mike Johnson has studied with Myron Mixon, cooked with Emeril Lagasse and Charlie Trotter. It was a great experience of community, exceptional food (sweet potatoes the best) and BBQ pork and salmon.
St. Louis BBQ is grilled then sauced instead of dry rubbing, slow cooking over indirect heat. St. Louis is the top consumer of bar-be-cue sauce. The sauce is tomato-based and sweeter. The coffee BBQ sauce is tangy and sweet. This is the top area for pork steaks.
Mission Barbecue
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Always looking for good BBQ traveling across the country. Each area has its own special BBQ. Wilmington’s Mission BBQ is American and traditional to the area. This place brings the flavors of the region to dinner. Enjoying collard greens made with tomatoes, mac-n-cheese, and green beans with bacon, brisket and NC Style pulled pork with the vinegar BBQ (this food tradition is from original settlers, African slaves on plantations and modern ones). This is an Eastern-style sauce that is vinegar and pepper, no tomatoes. Barbecue is serious here making it all the way to state Congress to declare the official bar-b-q.
Mission BBQ opened 09/11/11 ten years after 911. There is a tradition in the 52 restaurants stops at noon on Fridays to honor the military members and stars and stripes. The decor follows this continued theme with a patriotic dining room full of tributes to those who make our country great. There is really nothing more American than a barbeque.
The staff is exceptional and gives a lot of insight into food and history. The food is a delicious find.
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s Barbecue
Lunch with my dad is at Smokey D’s BBQ in Des Moines, Iowa. The year of BBQ adventures and the history of each region is fun. My dad enjoys a half rack of ribs; I go for a lighter side with a veggie wrap. The menu includes great home comfort foods. The fries are crispy and seasoned. The ribs fall right off the bone. Next time I want to try the potato casserole. The BBQ meat and sauce are award-winning. The BBQ founded by Darren and Sherry Warth in a trailer in their driveway.
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby-Q Barbecue
I enjoy a late evening dinner with my daughter, granddaughter Ellie, son-in-law, niece, and sister-in-law in Phoenix. It is a great location with exceptional decor. The bathroom sink is in the hallway near the restroom. The ceiling is worth looking up.
The menu is extensive and a nice variety of choices. The meat is slow smoked and topped with a sweet-savory bbq sauce. The mac-n-cheese is exceptional (Ellie loved this the best) and fries perfection. It is a great evening out.
The restaurant owned by Bob Sikora, a famous Phoenician restaurateur. He brings a Memphis approach to his bbq. The meat is smoked with almond and mesquite wood and dried rubbed.
Barbecue is a tradition in this country that is thousands of years old. It is a great way to spend with loved ones.
Heading to Las Vegas to shop make sure to stop at Rene’ Tyler in the Palazzo Hotel. Angela Rene’ is the principal designer and CEO. Her vision is style has no size. Women sizes 14 and above deserve beautiful quality red carpet, swimwear, every day, and eveningwear. We sit down to get to know this influential woman in her beautiful boutique in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Strip
Tammy Forchion Palazzo Hotel
The Grand Canal Shoppes
Rene’ Tyler
Her flagship store is inside the Grand Canal Shoppes in the Palazzo Hotel. This is the only plus size fashion on the Las Vegas Strip. She features an exceptional red carpet, every day, and swimwear. It is near the Sushi Samba and the glitzy escalator. The brand is a family collaboration with her son, Chase Tyler. They combined their middle names for the name in 2016.
Rene’
is so grateful for her son. He has allowed for her to achieve and create her
dream. She says, “I would not be here today without him.” She turns to him
during the interview to have him assist shoppers with the search for the skirt
she is wearing.
Congrats on your fashion story. It is amazing to watch your growth from your 2016 runway to this beautiful store here.
Her fashion sense and approach is to make all women feel beautiful. Her fashion is seen at AMC network show, ‘Dieltand,’ worn by Orange Is The New Black actress, Laverne Cox, for the Netflix Strong Black Lead campaign, recording artist Marsha Ambrosius during Maxwell’s 50 Intimate Nights Tour, The Daily Show correspondent Dulce’ Sloan for the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, and America’s Got Talent Finalist comedian Vicki Barbolak.
Rene’ Tyler +
Rene’ Tyler +
Rene’ Tyler +
Rene’ Tyler +
Rene’ Tyler Moves From LA to Vegas
She is originally from Las Vegas. She moved to LA to start her fashion line. “The time was right to move back,” she says, “it is time to open a brick and mortar.” It is important for the ability to try this fashion on and make sure it fits.
The Palazzo provides them with a great space. It is a nice convert from the previous men’s store to this beautiful plus size store. The only plus size shop on the strip. Her goal is opening in more cities.
This is a beautiful area for shopping. I enjoyed the afternoon walking the shops. It is filled with great food, gondola rides, and entertainment. Parking is free at The Palazzo.
She
does have online ordering for your fashion needs. You can shop here. Have
specific needs please feel free to contact her.
Hot Curves
No
one was doing plus size fashion at Los Angeles Fashion
Week (LAFW). She produced her own show. This was the influencing for plus
size fashion at LAFW. This fashion institution will be coming in the near
future for 40+ and plus size fashion.
Rene’ Tyler Sex Appeal of Style Accessories
The accessories found in this shop are absolutely the sexiness of any personal style. You will find plus size belts, sunglasses, shoes, handbags, clutches, veils (for that last minute wedding), and shoes to complete the sex appeal for Vegas.
Rene’ personally buys each item with the focus on each woman’s personal style and current trends. She wants each person to find that unique item for their great time in Vegas from the Stellar Awards to a nice day poolside.
Laverne Cox Wearing Rene’ Tyler
Rene’ Tyler Dressing Laverne Cox
Rene’s most honored fashion moment was when Cox, actress, wore her dress. The dress was sent to The Only Agency for Danielle Brooks. Cox fell in love with the dress and bought it. This was such an amazing honor to have her wear this dress with all she represents bravery, embracing, and beauty.
Rene’ Tyler
Rene’ Tyler
Rene’ Tyler
Rene’ Tyler Honoring Women
We first meet Rene’ at Art Hearts Fashion Week in
2016. Her runway was a hit with all in attendance. The fashion was daring,
elegant, and embracing each woman’s beauty.
This tradition continues with her fashion designs for any plus size woman. Her next adventure adding 40+ for runway modeling, and her latest LAFW runway included a trans model.
Her fashion design
is fabulous with personal styling for any individual. Her fashion sense and
approach is to make all women feel beautiful. She incorporates using many
fabrics, textures, draping, and beautiful designs.
Her inspirations include Christian Siriano, Ralph & Russo, and Zuhair Murad. This provides her insight into current trends but allows for the different and unique for every woman.
Chase Tyler, Tammy Forchion, Angela Rene’
Rene’ Tyler Start to The Day
Her start to the day is coffee. It is very evident in her shop with the sign at the register saying, “No coffee, no workee [SIC].” Then she centers herself with prayer and meditation. Focusing on the day’s how, what, and when needs.
Rene’ Tyler’s Influencers
Her mother and grandmother are extremely influencing on her talent and ability to design. Her grandmother came from the south and had very little. She would sew all her children’s clothing. She put so much love and made it seem so effortless with everything she did. Rene’ said, “I bring that same love to each design I create.
My mother was there when I took home economics. I made my first pillowcase. My mother was there to assist it just helped me to see my passion for sewing. She gives me strength, determination, drive, and her personal elegant style really influences my personal style today.
Rene’ Tyler Fashion Tip
Rene’ says, “They have to have the right undergarments, the right bra, panties, and Spanx. This provides a nice smoothing. It takes the lines away. This is the moisturizer of fashion.” Of course this day I forgot my Spanx. It is all in the details.
Rene’ Tyler Most Proud in Her Brand
Rene’
is extremely proud of Hot Curves, the first plus size runway at Art Hearts
Fashion and Style Fashion Week. This is such a great honor to bring plus
fashion design to the runway.
Her most proud moment is making the cover of The Las Vegas Review. She is still beaming from this moment. She did not know she was going to be on the cover. This was such an honor because there was a time when her ancestor could not come down the strip to gamble, work, eat, or explore. The African American performers had to come through the back door to perform here. She is the only African American woman-owned business at the Grande Canal Shoppe.
This is an honor to cover the journey with Rene’ Tyler Plus Size Fashion from LA to Las Vegas. She brings sex appeal and many influencing firsts to fashion for all women.
KA Products are becoming more visible as many are seeking out
the Tomboy Wicked line at LAFW. This year the products are featured at the
MASH Gallery Fashion E-Motion. Kelly Anne and Parris Harris collaborate for
this exceptional night of branding, art, and fashion.
Kelly Anne and Parris Harris
Kelly Anne, the product developer, with producer Parris Harris, Los Angeles Fashion Coordinator/Fashion Producer, join forces for this amazing show. He has seen the light in her brand and moved her in for couture hair and more branding of the hair care line.
Kelly Anne
Kelly Anne
Her way to
make it a great day it starts with, “sage and a few minutes of meditation. Then
1 hour of online marketing. That never fails but I must admit some mornings I
have to push myself.” This is a great way to start a day some meditation and
social connection.
Kelly Anne creates a world that is full of beauty and fun. Her talents and insight bring a line of beauty products for your hair care that is unique for your best hairstyle. She is the official beauty consultant for California plus American Beauty Pageant.
Parris Harris
Parris Harris
You are probably guaranteed to find Parris rockin’ along with a smile on his face laughing, even if its 4 AM and he is searching through a shag carpet for the needle so he can sew something that is needed at 8 AM.
This passion leads Parris to create A PASSION PHASHION production. This passion flows thru the body of Parris Harris and spills out and over every one involved in the production or who comes in contact with it! This fashionista has coordinated countless shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego, and on the East Coast.
Caitlyn
Queen, Winnie Patricia, and Christopher Guar
Christopher Guar and Miki
Caitlyn, Queen, Kelly Ann, Parris Harris Celeste, MIki, Winnie, Christopher, Marc
Christopher and Rebecca
Kelly Anne at MASH Gallery Fashion E-Motion
MASH Gallery is a contemporary art gallery featuring Maison H fashion boutique. Haleh Mashian, owner of Mash Gallery, is an expressionist painter who works in a variety of mediums. Opens her gallery for the closing night of LAFW.
The night includes a full runway show featuring 5 fashion designers, a frozen catwalk model movement, and makeup and hair demonstrations.
This is a beautiful location and event for KA Branding. Kelly Anne provides the styling for the models. She has 24 years of cosmetology experience. She creates a modern styling with vibrant blue lipstick. The blue is the Wicked Tomboy Branding color.
Marc, Queen, Winnie, Celeste, and Mikki
Exclusive Pol Atteu Couture Fashion
Ron Tomson Tomboy WIcked Ad shoot
Lexi Basch Ad Model
Behind The Scenes
Kelly Anne Update
What has Kelly Ann been up to, you ask. With summer here her product line, Tomboy Wicked is in demand. She has finally shot one of her ad campaigns with the music man, Esquire, at Nirvana Studios Hollywood. Per her fashionable self added the exclusive couture styles of a fashion empire. Pol Attue of Beverly Hills. His image and designs can be currently seen on Gown & Out in Beverly Hills with husband Patrik Simpson, on Amazon Prime. This season The Real House Wives of Orange County.
She brought in models from California and Seattle Washington for this one. The Models wore Pol’s new season collections. This is an exclusive couture fashion. This is available at his store in Beverly Hills. The Male Models dashed across the scene with a line of suits sold here in Los Angeles from Ron Tomson, from Turkey, celebrities like JayZ, Nicholas Cage, and others purchase these amazing high-end suits. Kelly Anne says she is finally prepping for her launch and this shoot was apart of it.
She will be participating in the Canna ESPY gifting suite this coming week with founder Tamara Anderson and NBA Host Matt Barnes. She is joining Patrik Simpson as one of his directors at one of the world’s biggest talent events,Ipop. There is something to be said for a brand ambassador that keeps moving forward with many avenues and bigger stages to promote her line.
Kelly Anne always says, “we as humans can go so much further faster if we love, laugh and work together.” So far this is true. She will release her ad during the day of our launch. Stay tuned and hope to see you there! Until then please follow me on all her social media and you can make purchases here.
Female Models: Lexi Basch, KiAnna Lewis, Queen, and Cassidy Polk Male Models: Josh Polk, LeVonte Littlejohn, Roger Mance, and Jeremy Ruple
Kelly Anne Brands
The unique qualities of the KA beauty line are clean and natural. The product pays attention to the scalp. Scalp care is the important for healthy hair. Each product in the hair care line focuses on refreshing and moisturizing the scalp. “LOVE these holistic hair products! I rub it on my temples for stress headaches and migraines! And my neck, after a hard days work! My scalp feels invigorated after using the spray. I recommend trying both.” (RB customer)
Tom Boy Wicked
The development provides a unisex product that is great for men and women. Tom Boy Wicked encourages men that it is ok to groom. There is a moisturizer, hair gel, boday cream, and body splash. The body splash is refreshing and alluring.
Tomboy Wicked and the KA Holistic lines are becoming such a popular brand amongst the LA scene, Hollywood stars, and athletes. Many are sharing the brands on social media. Veterans find that using her KA Holistic line is helpful because of it’s natural stimulants for the hair follicle and the body’s desire for natural soothing pain agents.
KA Holistic
KA Holistic
This hair product line, K A Holistic Hemp-Notic, infused with CBD and hemp. This is full of Omega 3s. Omega 3s are fabulous for:
Hair loss prevention
Stops breakage
Healthy lush hair
Inflammation reduction
Encourages hair growth
Kelly Anne Business
How does she stay in business with many brick and mortars shutting down? I host fashion shoots and cross promote. This brings in more buzz and attention that is causing the lines to continued to grow.
The product line and Kelly Anne have cameos in two-featured film. The films are
The KA Brand is the best hair care product for your scalp, hair, and wellness. It is a product created with Shea butter. This is a product that is a fat extracted from the nut of the African Shea tree. It is a moisturizer, relieves inflammation as well as dry itchy skin. You can purchase the products online, at events in LA area, featured at the LaFemme Film Festival, and 9400 Brighton Way Beverly Hills.
Sunscreen is a must during the hot summer days at the beach, pool, and outside activities. Sunscreen is great for skin protection from burns, blisters, and skin cancers. Sunscreen is just as important to care for your hair during the harsh summer conditions.
Sunscreen is important for your scalp, this is covered by skin. Your hair needs this same protections as well. Wearing hats is always a good option in the summer for protection of your scalp and hair. Purchasing hats with a wide brim and sun protection is an exceptional protection.
Hair sunscreen is very important to protect hair. The wind, sun, chlorine, loss of moisture, and heat damage hair. This damage causes brittle, dry, and lackluster hair. There are many products and remedies you can use to protect your hair during your summer fun.
Mix ingredients to a paste. Massage into hair and wrap in plastic shower cap, sack, or wrap. Leave on hair 15-20 min. Wash with warm water and gentle shampoo. Style as usual.
Maily O’Neil, owner at Mai Salon in Palm Desert CA, states at Style Fashion Week, “Remember the sunscreen for you hair. Lots of love for your hair.” Share your favorite summer beauty tips in the comment section. Have a great summer.
Heading west on a great road trip with my father. This is a dream journey with my father. He took me all over the west on road trips each summer. We begin in Champaign Illinois heading west on Interstate 80.
Lagomarcino’s Soda Candy
Lagomarcino’s Chocolate Candy
Lagomarcino’s Soda Candy
Dennis Winger Lagomarcino’s Soda Candy
Molina Illinois
Lagomarino’s Soda and Candy Store The Best Chocolates and Ice Cream
The City of Moline sits on the banks of the Mississippi River. We stop at Lagomarino’s Soda and Candy Store. This candy shop opened in 1908 by Angelo Lagomarino, a Northern Italy immigrant. The store is the fourth generation. They have handcrafted chocolates with the finest ingredients. The store has an old-fashioned soda fountain. The soda menu includes the Green River (A Chicago drink named after the Chicago River that is dyed green for St. Patrick’s day).
Taking my father here was such a treat. He recalls the stories of going to the soda shop his uncle owned as a child. He talked about IronPort soda, a Utah tradition. It is a cross between root beer and Caribbean spices. He went for the hot fudge sundae (a surprise at the bottom was more fudge). I enjoyed a variety of hand-dipped chocolates during our road trip back west. This is a perfect place to stop and enjoy. They are the recipients of a James Beard Award.
Activities and Fun in Molina Illinois
This city is situated near the Iowa state border and sits on the mighty Mississippi River. This town is rich in history with being a part of the Underground Railroad and the home of industrialist John Deere (In 1848, he built his first Moline plow factory). There are many fun things to do here.
Washington Square Charles Deere built an upscale three-story five unit Italianate row house in 1890. His brother-in-law, Merton Cady, is the architect. The initial name for the complex was Deere Row and renters were said to be employees of the Deere factories.
Downtown murals love the Midwest and the vast varieties of murals. Molina’s downtown murals provide a view of Moline’s waterfront, as it would have looked in the early 1850s.
Rock Island played a large part of The Underground Railroad in Molina. This was the first stop for many slaves seeking freedom. The first state near several water sources provided transportation undercover. There is also a set of channels and tunnels underground that provide another escape route.
Leaving the mid-west I recall the experiences and beautiful people I meet. They have made a lasting impression on my life. This area of the United States provides history from slavery to the industrial age. The loss of jobs and industries is present everyday. The areas are gorgeous to visit and see. You feel the hardworking middle class that drove America into the modern world.
Iowa Rest Stop
Iowa State Road Trip
Iowa Rest Stop
Iowa Rest Stop
Iowa Rest Stop
Smokey Ds BBQ
Smokey Ds BBQ
Smokey Ds BBQ
Smokey Ds BBQ
Iowa State Road Trip
Iowa Road Trip
Sitting in a car all day with your father is a wonderful way to collect stories about his life. The first thing I learned is he loves to collect maps. Iowa is a great location for this collection.
Iowas Road Stops
Iowa has the best rest stops in history. You pull up to find a store, information about the area, books, and free maps. The first stop in Iowa my father returns with a collection of Iowa maps. He opens them up as we drive out of the rest stop.
Road Trip Memories
We enjoyed a day of talking about the years as a child I traveled the western US with my two brothers and parents. The summer trips to Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and Southern Utah. My dad would hitch the camping trailer to a yellow rambler and off we would go. We saw so many natural beauties. The adventures from my childhood are endless. The time my mother lost the car keys in the sand dunes. My father lost his new fishing pole the first time he cast out at Strawberry Reservoir. This results in our fishing trip looking for the fishing pole. This is never seen again.
My father is a military retiree. He spent decades as a medic in the Air Force. He would bring back great dolls, toys, and white lunch boxes they would feed the crew. He tells his stories of going to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, and Europe. The time he spent counting hours on the cargo plane counting the hours to coming home to see the three of us fight over the white lunch box.
Smokey D’s BBQ
Lunch is at Smokey D’s BBQ in Des Moines, Iowa. The year of BBQ adventures and the history of each region is fun. My dad enjoys a half rack of ribs; I go for a lighter side with a veggie wrap. The menu includes great home comfort foods. The fries are crispy and seasoned. The ribs feel right off the bone. The BBQ meat and sauce are award-winning. The BBQ founded by Darren and Sherry Warth in a trailer in their driveway.
Nebraska Adventures
The
time in Nebraska is spent traveling through various rest stops and counting up
more water towers. This is a tradition my sister and I started on the way out
to the Midwest in spring. Many times this is the tallest thing on the horizon.
We see a total of 177 water towers on I-80 through the Great Plains.
The
Great Plains is seen as little value to many traveling west in the mid-1800s.
Soon many ranchers release that the Verdant Platte is of great value. Today the
highway runs along this geography changing areas.
Winter Quarters,
Nebraska
This
location is a gathering location of the member of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints. A stop my father looked forward to seeing. Many members of
our family stayed here as they prepared to travel west to a new home.
There
is a history of death, birth, and husbands leaving to fight the Mexican
American War. They crossed the frozen Mississippi River in 1846. This gave them
time to gather much needed supplies to make the journey across the Plains and
over the Rocky Mountains.
Some of our relatives made this journey without basic needs including shoes. Some pushed their own carts. A few did find themselves in the middle of a winter storm needing rescuing to survive. This is a free museum.
We
ventured across the street to the modern temple. This is a location that is
used seal families together in family forever. Off the temple grounds is a
cemetery. We were able to find a few of our relatives’ gravesites.
Kearney, Nebraska
We
stay for the evening in Kearney, Nebraska. It was fun arriving late in the
evening and walking around to stretch the legs and enjoy a few McDonald’s
French-fries.
The food for the morning is oatmeal, nuts, dried fruit, and yogurt from Aldi’s, a wonderful grocery finds in Champaign Illinois (this is a store located worldwide).
Kearney has a beautiful museum, The Archway, that stretches over the I-80. This museum is a celebration, “For over 200 years, the path along the Platte River through Nebraska, once called the Great Platte River Road, has been a road to adventure. From the Oregon Trail era through today, the Archway’s family-friendly historical exhibit tells the story of those who followed the Great Platte River Road and helped to build America.”
Wyoming Road Trip
Wyoming Road Trip Cowboy Boots
Wyoming Road Trip
Wyoming Road Trip
Wyoming Road Trip
Cheyenne Wyoming
Lunch in Cheyenne
Lunch in Cheyenne
Cheyenne, Wyoming
The last stop before returning to Orem, Utah is Cheyenne, Wyoming. This western town is full of fun and explorations.
Guadalajara Mexican
Restaurant
We
find an authentic Mexican restaurant, Guadalajara, locally owned and operated.
The ambience of Mexico is felt from the decor to the menu. The food is regional
as well as traditional American Mexican.
I
enjoy Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo. Rincon de Guayabitos in the estate of Sinaloa.
This is a beautiful community that is a beach resort. It is known for fresh red
snapper and other seafood including large shrimp.
This
was a great dish with large shrimp, mushrooms, and a beautiful garlic sauce. It
is served on a bed of iceberg lettuce with a slice of orange. The heat and cold
with a touch of sweet tang from the orange inside a warm tortilla is perfect
after a long day of driving.
My
father enjoys an Enchiladas De Mole with shredded chicken. The mole is
flavorful with a nice hint of heat. Mole is a sauce containing up to 20
ingredients. The sauce usually contains fruit, chili pepper, nut, and such
spices as black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, and chocolate.
Exploring Cheyenne,
Wyoming
The
first thing you notice is the town is filled with large cowboy boots. This is a
fun scavenger hunt for the family through town. Local artist paints each boot.
We enjoy searching for these boots.
The
town is the capital of Wyoming. There is a great museum near the capital that
had maps for free. We leave with a stack of Wyoming maps.
The best stop here is the National Guard base that has F-84F And C-130 Aircraft (a favorite plane of my father). My father spent 35 years in the Air Force reserves as a medic. He worked a civilian at Hill Air Force base.
This
was a fun day exploring Cheyenne and all the history in this town. This town
goes from dinosaurs to the frontier days, and 19th century covered wagons.
There are great museums including
Cheyenne
Depot Museum
Cheyenne
Botanical Garden
Wyoming
State Museum
Cowgirls
of the West Museum
This
is a wonderful town to really see the migration west and the history of
settling the American west.
This was a fun day exploring Cheyenne and all the history in this town. This town goes from dinosaurs, frontier days, and 19th century covered wagons to the railway travel.
This was a great journey with my father. It was great sharing memories from his childhood, my own childhood, and creating new memories. The remander of the journey back to Arizona is my dog Hyde and I.
Utah State
Kanab Utah
Kanab Utah
Kanab Utah
Kanab Utah
Kanab Utah
Zions National Park
Big Al’s Burgers
Big Al’s Burgers
Kanab, Utah
Kanab is the location of all road trippers on 89. It is the center of many national parks, great river rafting, and tons of fun.
The town has a great old western movie museum, Frontier Movie Town. This is a fun look at old film sets long before green screen and animation. This is a free museum behind the gift shop in the cottonwood trees. There are so many adventures near Kanab they include
Hiking
Cottonwood Wash Narrows
Slot Canyon
Paria Canyon
Wire Pass
Elusive Wave
Zion’s National Park
Drives
Glen Canyon Damn
Lake Powel
North Rim Grand Canyon
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Explore
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Moqui Cave
Green River Whitewater Rafting
Lunchtime is at Big Al’s Burgers at the Junction Drive-in (Thank you Cherie for the suggestion). Must have a traditional Utah meal. I worked at a local diner Provo as a teenager. The best meal is milkshake, hamburger, and fries with a Utah tradition of fry sauce (mayo and ketchup dip). This was a lot of fun, good food, and super busy. What a great location for fun.
This is a wonderful time to explore and travel the US. It was great meeting
so many wonderful people and tremendous adventures. What is your favorite
vacation? Post your response with #4chionstyle on social media.
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The Best Picture at the 91st Oscars® is Green Book. This story brings forward the fact that we need to sit down and discuss racism in a safe environment.
Jim Burke, Peter Farrelly, Charles B. Wessler
Jim Burke
“Green BooK” Best Picture
Charles B. Wessler along with the cast and crew of “Green Book,”
Green Book Producers
Jim Burke is a producer and actor, known for Green Book (2018), The Descendants(2011) and Election (1999). This film took many puns and knocks during production. Burke responds to this time, “I’ll just say, yes, it was discouraging; but we always went back to the film. And when we had a bad day, we’d pop in the movie, and we were reminded that we’re all really proud of this film, all of us and all of the over 500 people who helped make it.”
Peter Farrell is a producer and writer, known for Green Book (2018), There’s Something About Mary (1998) and Dumb and Dumber (1994). Farrell talks about his approach to winning, “It’s like if I watch a football game and I need my team to score, I just leave the room, and they will. If I’m watching them, they won’t. So I just kind of thought about everything but winning this thing, and it worked.”
Charles B. Wessler is known for his work on There’s Something About Mary (1998), Dumb and Dumber (1994) and It’s Pat: The Movie (1994). Wessler talks about the moment Julia Roberts (he did forget her name) announced Green Book for Best Picture, “I just want to say one thing. These guys may or may not agree with me, but when I’m forgetting the name of the actress who gave us the award. I don’t know why.” Burke states, “Julia Roberts.” Wessler continues, “Julia Roberts. She opened up thank you. She opened up the thing, and I’m not kidding, I started to talk to my friend sitting next to me; and she said GREEN BOOK, and I so just to let you know, were we thinking we could win? I kind of forgot that we could, and, you know.”
Film Synopsis
The title and subject matter are a reference to “The Negro Motorist Green Book,” also known as “The Negro Travelers’ Green Book.” Published from 1936-1966, the guide helped African-American travelers find lodging, restaurants, and other businesses that would serve them. It eventually covered most of North America, plus Bermuda and the Caribbean. (IMDB)
Film Fun Facts
The real Tony Lip is best known for playing Carmine Lupertazzi on The Sopranos.
The film is dedicated to “Larry the Crow,” a bird that hung around the shooting location. Viggo Mortensen cared for the animal after it was hit by a car.
The film is about “Tony Lip” Viggo Mortensen and Dr. Don Shirley’s relationship and how they changed each other in a time when it was crazy, obviously.
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Paul Massy, John Casali, and Tim Cavagin bring an Oscar® sound mixing winning performance. This film is an honor to Queen’s Freddy Mercury.
Tim Cavagin, Paul Massey, and John Casali
Paul Massey
Tim Cavagin, Paul Massey, and John Casali
Sound Mixing
Paul Massey
Paul Massey work includes Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), The Greatest Showman (2017) and Deadpool (2016). He took the time to say, “Thank you so much for your music and for your collaboration and your support. This is a project of a lifetime. We had great resources, we had great collaboration from all of the Queen production team and our producers, and it was a wonderful project. And actually, I think we all wished it hadn’t finished. ”
John Casali
John Casali work includes Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Into the Woods (2014), and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He says, “All of my team, and for this, really, for Chris Murphy, my boom operator, that’s put up with me for 14 years. Thanks, mate. When we shot those sequences making Bohemian Rhapsody, all the things that we shot came from Brian May.”
Tim Cavagin
Tim Cavagin work includes Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Baby Driver (2017), and The Others (2001). He thanks, “The team Twickenham, everyone else who worked on the sound of this incredible movie.”
Film Synopsis
This film’s story is the legendary rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid (1985). (IMDb)
Film Facts
Ben Whishaw was linked in the media to playing Freddie Mercury before casting Remi Malek.
Queen engineers gave the sound team full access to their archives of music, all their live material and studio material.
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This film is a celebration of love and a reminder of the struggles facing many African American women in this country. Regina King envelopes this struggle and love to win the Oscar® for Best Supporting Actress.
Regina King and her mother, Gloria.
Regina King
Regina King and Mahershala Ali
Supporting Actress
Actress in a Supporting Role
Regina King brings her mother to the Oscars®. She says about her mother being there, “I feel like kind of like one of those full circle moments because so much of the character Sharon Rivers was mapped or inspired by my mother and my grandmother.” She gets teary-eyed as she reflects and says thanks to these women.
She goes on to say, ” James Baldwin birthed this baby and Barry, you nurtured her, you surrounded her with so much love and support, so it’s appropriate for me to be standing here because I’m an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone.” That is truly was. She is wearing an Oscar® winning Oscar De La Renta white gown.
This film is important in the narrative that there remains a divide in this country. We have moved forward and backward throughout the 400 years since the first slave being brought to this country. King states about winning, “But it’s just a reminder of when Hattie McDaniel won. She didn’t win just because black people voted for her. She won because she gave an amazing performance.”
King did present a strong woman fighting for her family and her dreams. Kings said about working on the film, “When you have men and women working together, pretty amazing things happen.”
She continues with, “I feel like I’ve had so many women that have paved the way, are paving the way, and I feel like I walk in their light, and I also am creating my own light.”
Film Synopsis
A woman in Harlem embraces her pregnancy while she and her family struggle to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime. (IMdB)
Film Facts
The film’s release date was the novelist James Baldwin’s 94th birthday.
Beale Street is in Memphis not New Orleans.
The author is director’s Barry Jenkins favorite.
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Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer from Colorado Springs, CO, successfully manages to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan branch with the help of a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes its leader. Based on actual events. (IMdB)
Writers
Spike Lee is truly thrilled to win this first Oscar® for Best Adapted Screenplay. He states, “My grandma who saved 50 years of Social Security checks to put her first grandchild – she called me Spikie Poo – she put me through Morehouse College and NYU Grad Film. NYU!” This is a long time in coming for Spike Lee. The screenplay writers include David Rabinowitz, Charles Wachtel, and Kevin Willmott.
Willmott states, at Northern Arizona University, “Telling a character’s story you have to fictionalize the stories. Often as a writer, you do that with your own life experiences.” The story does reflect some personal experiences in his life.
Lee concludes the acceptance speech saying, “Let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there!”
BlacKkKlansman Fun Facts
The film is one of only four US films to win the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival. The film receive a standing ovation at Cannes Film Festival.
John David Washington did not audition for the role. He was offered the role from Spike Lee.
The final scene is edited using hundreds of cell phone camera footage taken in Virginia.
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The Oscars® celebration is 91 years old. This year is the year without a host. Award season closes out with the top fashion, talent, and entertainment.
Constance Wu
Glenn Close,
Lady Gaga
Adam Lambert
Spike Lee
Billy Porter
Regina King
Ashley Graham
Michelle Yeoh
Richard E. Grant
Laura Harrier
Amandla Stenberg
Awkwafina
Danielle Macdonald
Brad Goreski
Stephan James
Adam Lambert
Red Carpet Fashion Oscars® Celebration
The best in talent and fashion hit the red carpet for a few interviews and photos. Style and fashion are colorful. Big bows on the back are in with long trains. The tulle and feminity appear to be an honor to Karl Lagerfeld. Men step up the color and look fabulous.
Lady Gaga arrives understated wearing an Alexander McQueen black gown. Audrey Hepburn last wears her $30 million diamond from Tiffany Co. that Lady Gaga is wearing.
Constance Wu is wearing a flowing yellow Versace gown with jewels by Neil J. Rodgers Swarovski.
Spike Lee brought a little bit of “Do The Right Thing” to the Oscars He posts on Instagram “Brother Prince Is Watching Tonight, Singin’ “IT’S GONNA BE A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT’ Ozwald Boateng designer of his purple suit. Congrats on the Oscar.
Billy Porter is wearing custom Christian Siriano couture. The jewels created by Oscar Heyman.
Regina King slays in a white Oscar De La Renta with Chopard jewels and Christian Louboutin shoes for accessories.
Glenn Close styling is a beautiful gold Carolina Herrea with a long train. The gown has 4 Million Beads and Weighs 42 Pounds.
Ashley Graham at the 2019 Oscars is wearing a Zac Posen gown. Accessories include Martin Katz jewels, Gianvito Rossi shoes, and a Roger Vivier clutch.
Michelle Yeoh at the 2019 Oscars Wearing an Elie Saab dress with Chopard jewels.
Richard E. Grant Suit by Brunell Ocucinelli. The touch of color down the front of the shirt is nice.
Laura Harrier at the 2019 Oscars Wearing a sustainably sourced Louis Vuitton dress as part of the green carpet initiative and Bulgari jewels.
Amandla Stenberg at the 2019 Oscars Wearing a fringed column dress.
Awkwafina is wearing a DSquared2 suit with Chopard jewels.
Danielle Macdonald is wearing a sustainable Christian Siriano dress made with cotton crepe vegetable dyed fabric and recycled tulle with Stella Luna shoes.
Brad Goreski is wearing a Brunello Cucinelli suit with Garrett Leight glasses, Cartier jewels, and Christian Louboutin shoe.
Stephan James is wearing an Etro suit with David Yurman jewels.
Adam Lambert is very traditional by wearing Tom Ford with a beautiful white flower on the jacket. Great performance.
This year the star-studded presenters include Elsie Fisher, Danai Gurira, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Keaton, Helen Mirren, John Mulaney, Tyler Perry, Pharrell Williams, Krysten Ritter, Paul Rudd and Michelle YeohAwkwafina, Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Tina Fey, Allison Janney, Brie Larson, Jennifer Lopez, Frances McDormand, Gary Oldman, Amy Poehler, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Amandla Stenberg, Charlize Theron, Tessa Thompson, Constance Wu, Javier Bardem, Angela Bassett, Chadwick Boseman, Emilia Clarke, Laura Dern, Samuel L. Jackson, Stephan James, Keegan-Michael Key, KiKi Layne, James McAvoy, Melissa McCarthy, Jason Momoa and Sarah Paulson.
Performances Oscars® Celebration
Queen opens the Oscars® with Adam Lambert. The performance of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper much anticipated left the audience breathless. They perform Shallow from A Star Is Born. Other performances: Jennifer Hudson, I’ll Fight from RBG; nominees Gillian Welch and David Rawlings welcomed to the stage to sing When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs; Oscar nominee Bette Midler is a special guest performing The Place Where Lost Things Go from Mary Poppins Returns.
Oscars’ Week Celebration
The week prior to Oscars is a celebration of the nominees and preparations for the Sunday event.
The symposiums present makeup and hairstyling, foreign film directors, shorts, documentaries, and animation nominees. This is a great time to get the insight to the creation of the top films.
The red carpet and Dolby Theatre undergo a creation to welcome the nominees and press for this night. The Hollywood Blvd. transforms into an elegant reception.
Achievement in Costume Design
Supporting Actress
Achievement Sound Editing
Achievement in Makeup
Achievement in Production Design
Best Documentary Feature
Recipients Oscars® Celebration
Best Picture
Black Panther Kevin Feige, Producer
BlacKkKlansman Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele, and Spike Lee, Producers.
Bohemian Rhapsody Graham King, Producer
The Favourite Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday, and Yorgos Lanthimos, Producers.
Green Book Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly, and Nick Vallelonga, Producers Winner
Roma Gabriela Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón, Producers
AStar is Born Bill Gerber, Bradley Cooper, and Lynette Howell Taylor, Producers
VICE Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adam McKay, and Kevin Messick, Producers.
