text:
Foreplay doesn't just have to be a kiss and a cuddle within the confines of the bedroom. In fact, erotic massage is the perfect way to connect physically and emotionally.
The majority of our everyday communication is non-verbal and body language plays a huge part in how we communicate and understand other people. It should therefore make sense that massage, one of the most intimate kinds of touch, is a good way of communicating with your lover. Each caress, stroke and rub can be used to say anything from "I adore your body" to "I hope you had a good day at work".
Finding tense spots in your partner's neck, shoulders and back then kneading and massaging them with your hands will not only remove physical pain, but it can help unblock their mind as they focus less on the pain and the stress associated with it.
A massage can be a simple stroking of the hands or a good going-over of the whole body. Whatever you decide to do, you'll soon realise the benefits to your heath, your body, your relationship and your sex life.
Erotic Massage: Essential Equipment
You can give a massage using nothing except your hands! However, this always seems quite clinical and reduces intimacy significantly.
To get the full effect, you'll want to set the right mood for your massage. Start by making the room you want to do the massage in warm - your partner will probably be naked or at least semi-naked so to stop shivers, turn up the heat.
You'll also want to dim the lights or light some candles. Harsh lighting can be an uncomfortable distraction during massage so bring in a little bit of romance with some fairy lights or tea light candles.
Massage Lotion
One of the most important parts of your massage is a slippery oil or lotion that will let your hands glide across their body and leave their skin feeling smooth and nourished.
The Lovehoney Oh! Vanilla Lickable Massage Oil 30ml (£5.99) is perfect for this as the delicious smell will fill the room and get you both in the mood for some fun.
Pour some oil onto your palms and gently rub to warm the lotion before running your hands over your lover's body in sensual, long strokes.
Massage Candles
If you fancy trying something a little different, combine soft lighting with a massage oil in the form of a massage candle. Choose from erotic vanilla, strawberry or cherry.
Light the wick and when the wax melts, the candle will turn into a warm liquid that can be safely poured on to the skin for a sweet-smelling massage.
Massage candles are wonderful for setting the mood and adding a little ceremony to your sensual massage experience.
Massage Accessories
Tools like massagers, massage rocks and hot massage packs make giving an erotic massage a cinch, even if you've never done it before. Check out our favourite products to help you cheat your way to top-notch sensual back rubs.
How to Give an Erotic Massage
No matter what part of the body you are massaging, there are some simple techniques that apply almost everywhere. Be careful not to press too hard or cause any pain when you're giving the massage and take time to check in with your partner to find out which parts they enjoy most.
When massaging your lover, try to keep your bodies as close as possible and always maintain body contact. This will not only help you keep warm and stop your lover wondering, "Where did they go?" mid-massage, but it'll also give you both a connection that really sparks your eroticism and romance.
A massage book is a great way to learn the art of massage as it is clear and concise, but here are a couple of techniques to start you off:
Initial Touch
The first few touches you make should be long, lingering and purposeful. Psychologically speaking, firm contact will reassure your partner and make them feel safe (think of how a strong handshake makes an impression on a business partner, and you've got the gist).
Use this time to apply the massage oil or lotion to their body and get their skin warmed up. Your hands should be flat but your fingers should be relaxed, allowing them to splay and follow the natural contours of your partner's body.
Massage doesn't have to be intense and deep, in fact, doing the opposite can be both soothing and exciting at the same time. Using your fingertips, trace the contours of your partner's body.
Run your fingers through their hair, gently graze their neck with the pads of your fingers or follow the smooth curves of their lips with your thumbs.
This soft touching will give great results and allow you to move your touch from one area of the body to another fluidly.
Kneading Thumbs
Pressing, kneading and rolling the thumbs against the body is a great way to workout tension in the muscles. Press your thumbs against any body part and smoothly move them away from you, using the full extension of your thumbs. Moving each thumb, one after the other creates a continuous rolling sensation that will really get rid of knots and tight spots. This works especially well on the back, shoulders, feet and thighs.
Getting Intimate
If you hope that your massage will lead to something intimate, use a massage lotion that's safe as a personal lubricant and condom-compatible. Oil is not recommended for use as a lube, and it's not compatible with latex condoms.
A specially formulated massage lube like Durex Play Massage 2 in 1 Personal Lubricant (£8.99) or any of our silicone lubricants are ideal because they will keep you slick and sensual all over and you can go seamlessly from massage to sex.
Need more help?
You can Contact Customer Care, who will be able to help you find the right massage tools. You can email, telephone or live chat to an experienced advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The other great place to look for people's advice on foreplay and massage candles is on the Lovehoney Forum, where our community is on hand to give their opinions and tips.
Contact Lovehoney Customer Care | Visit The Lovehoney Forum
You may also like:


text:
Symons Electric is an electrical contracting company.
Get customized solar estimates for your home or business
See solar quotes near you
Enter your zip code to see solar quotes near you
Solar Resources
Work With Us
Connect with us
All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2009 - 2019
Terms of Use
Updated 10/16
Privacy Policy
Updated 09/16

subset: commoncrawl


text:
1,2,3 Fag!:
Local comics Seth Dodson ("Impress These Apes" champion), John Hartman ("Baby Wants Candy") and Kellen Alexander (from iO and The Playground teams) perform an interconnected, four-scene improv set with multiple characters. The Katydids and Michael Pizza open.: through Open End; 8 p.m. Fri., Fri.; $14; iO, 3541 N. Clark St.; 773-880-0199.
Taking inspiration from George Orwell's classic satire "1984," Chas Vrba's comedy examines Chicago's most memorable spots moments, including the '85 Bears, through an Orwellian lens.: through Nov. 7; 7:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $25; $15 students; presented by Factory Theater; Chicago DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St.; 312-742-8497.
26 Miles:
A Cuban-American woman and her estranged Jewish daughter discover the meaning of family as they embark on a spontaneous road trip heading west. This is the Midwest premiere of the drama by Tony Award-winner Quiara Alegria Hudes ("In the Heights").: through Nov. 21; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $15-$25; presented by Teatro Vista and Rivendell Theater Ensemble; Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-633-0630.
40 Whacks:
A dark comedy about the family of 19th Century New England hatchet murderess Lizzie Borden explores the public's fascination with murder and violence.: through Fri.; 8 p.m. Fri., Fri.; $15; The Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665.
An Alex Moment:
A dramedy in which a man who's tired of being everyone's friend but nobody's boyfriend attempts to ignite a flame with his childhood crush.: through Fri.; 7:30 p.m. Fri., Fri.; $15; Gorilla Tango Theatre (1919 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60647), 1919 N Milwaukee Ave; 773-598-4549.
At Home at the Zoo
: A pair of one-act dramas by Pulitzer Prize-winner Edward Albee includes his classic "The Zoo Story" and a new prequel, "Homelife." Both explore the experiences of three New Yorkers whose lives are changed when secrets are revealed.: through Oct. 31; 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Tue. - Fri.; $20-$50; $20-$40 previews through Oct. 10; presented by Victory Gardens Theater; Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-871-3000.
A collection of three one-act dramas by Neil LaBute ("In the Company of Men"): A young woman discusses her complicated and tragic relationship with a teacher; a businessman confesses a crime to a stranger; and a couple gives separate accounts of violence during their honeymoon.: through Oct. 31; 7 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 7 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $15; presented by Brikenbrak Theatre Project; The Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave.; 773-296-6024.
Best of the Tens:
See six humorous 10-minute plays by emerging playwrights.: through Fri.; 7:15 p.m. Fri., Fri.; $12; $10 for students; presented by Chicago Dramatists and The Second City Training Center; The Second City's De Maat Studio Theater, 1616 N. Wells St. Piper's Alley, 3rd Floor; 312-337-3992.
Billy Elliot the Musical:
The touring production of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical by Elton John and Lee Hall, directed by Stephen Daldry (who also directed the 2000 film of the same title) begins an extended run in Chicago. The storyline follows the struggles of a young boy in 1980s working-class England who discovers a passion for dancing while on his way to a boxing lesson.: through Nov. 28; 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Tue.; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Wed.; 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $28-$100; presented by Broadway In Chicago, with Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic; Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.; 800-775-2000.
Blood Wedding:
In this drama by Spanish playwright-poet Federico Garcia Lorca, a young bride makes a choice which leads to terrible consequences.: through Nov. 20; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Fri.; Free; Oracle Theatre, 3809 N. Broadway; 773-244-2980.
Blue Man Group:
This long-running and constantly evolving hit show combines performance art and slapstick comedy into a unique theatrical event.: through Open End; $49-$69; $32 for student rush tickets; Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St.; 773-348-4000; 312-902-1500.
The Book of Liz:
Chemically Imbalanced Comedy remounts its 2008 production of this comic play--penned by David and Amy Sedaris--which follows the adventures of a female cheeseball-making expert with a sweating problem who escapes a religious community and finds work at a family restaurant run by recovering alcoholics.: through Dec. 18; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat., Fri.; $18; $10 preview Sept. 9; presented by Chemically Imbalanced Comedy; Chemically Imbalanced Theater, 1420 W. Irving Park Rd.; 800-838-3006.
A Brief History of Helen of Troy:
The Chicago premiere of a dark comedy in which a teenage girl grieving the loss of her mother turns to Helen of Troy as a role model and begins to use beauty products and sex as a way to attract the love she lacks.: through Oct. 30; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat., Thu. - Fri.; $20-$22; presented by Steep Theatre; Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn Ave.; 866-811-4111.
Leonard Bernstein and Hugh Wheeler's musical adaptation of Voltaire's comic adventure story of a man who is expelled from home, drafted into the Bulgarian army, brought before the Spanish Inquisition, swindled out of a fortune, shipwrecked on a desert isle and repeatedly separated from his true love.: through Oct. 31; 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Tue. - Thu.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $25-$85; Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; 312-443-3800.
Carpenters Halloween:
Local cabaret duo Scott Bradley and Jonny Stax (a.k.a. The Scooty & JoJo Show) revive their musical tribute to the 1978 John Carpenter slasher flick "Halloween" for this fourth annual production. Bradley leads the eight-member cast backed by a three-piece band.: through Oct. 31; 8 p.m. Fri., Sun., Wed. - Fri.; $15-$25; presented by The Scooty & JoJo Show; Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted St.; 800-838-3006.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof:
In Tennessee Williams' classic drama, tensions mount when secrets come to light during a dying Southern patriarch's birthday celebration.: through Dec. 19; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $30; $25 for students; $20 previews through Oct. 16; $40 for Oct. 17 performance; Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St.; 773-338-2177.
Co-Ed Prison Sluts:
The Annoyance Theatre remounts its long-running inaugural production, a campy musical comedy about the adventures of male and female inmates serving time for sex offenses.: through Open End; 10 p.m. Fri., Fri.; $15; presented by The Annoyance Theatre; The Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665.
The Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth about a commitment-shy man with three girlfriends and the five married couples who are his friends.: through Nov. 14; 7:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Fri.; $32; presented by Griffin Theatre Company; Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-327-5252.
DCA Theater Incubator Series Showcase:
Features works-in-progress by emerging local theater ensembles.: through Feb. 28; 7:30 p.m. (Sideshow Theatre Company: "Strangerland") Mon.; $5 suggested donation or pay-what-you-can; presented by Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs; Studio Theater of the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. 1st Floor; 312-742-8497.
A Delicate Balance:
In Edward Albee's drama, a couple's routine is disrupted when several anxious, uninvited houseguests arrive.: through Oct. 30; 7:30 p.m. Fri., Thu. - Fri.; 3 p.m. Sun.; $25-$30; $20-$25 for students; $15 previews through Sept. 24; presented by Redtwist Theatre; Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; 773-728-7529.
Laurie Metcalf stars in a new play by Lisa D'Amour, in which a couple's picture-perfect facade collapses with comic results when they befriend their new next door neighbors. Austin Pendleton directs.: through Nov. 7; 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Tue.; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Wed.; 7:30 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $20-$70; $20-$48 previews through Sept. 18; Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St.; 312-335-1650.
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show:
A comedic, interactive murder mystery takes place over dinner as performers seated amongst the guests die off one by one and detectives interrogate the suspects. Solve the mystery and you could win a prize. Includes a cocktail reception, passed appetizers and dinner. The December shows are holiday-themed.: through Dec. 18; 6:30 p.m. Sat.; $59.95; Millenium Knickerbocker Hotel, 163 E. Walton Pl.; 866-496-0535.
Disney's The Lion King:
The Tony Award-winning musical about the coming of age struggles of an African lion returns to Chicago for a nine-week engagement.: through Nov. 27; 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. Sun.; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Wed.; 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $25-$97; Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.; 800-775-2000.
Doo Lister's Blues:
A new version of a blues musical by Grammy Award-winner and author Terry Abrahamson ("In the Belly of the Blues") explores 1960s social change through the eyes of an African-American barber in Chicago.: through Nov. 28; 8 p.m. Fri.; 3 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $30; $25 for students; presented by National Pastime Theater; National Pastime Theater, 4139 N. Broadway; 773-327-7077.
A Tragedy: A new adaptation of the classic Bram Stoker vampire novel, set in 19th Century London, includes adult language and nudity.: through Oct. 31; 11:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 7:30 p.m. Sun. - Wed.; 11:30 p.m. Fri.; $15; presented by Redtwist Theatre; Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; 773-728-7529.
The Dude Abides:
The Musical: In this two-act musical comedy, a 13-person cast and live band pay tribute to the Coen Brothers film "The Big Lebowski" with segments on passions for bowling, disdain for music by classic rock band The Eagles and more. German techno group Autobahn performs during intermission.: through Nov. 18; 8 p.m. Thu.; $12; $6 for students; iO, 3541 N. Clark St.; 773-880-0199.
The Tony Award-winning drama by Peter Shaffer about a psychiatrist who must face his own demons when he attempts to treat a stable boy accused of blinding horses.: through Nov. 6; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu.; $15; presented by Ludicrous Theatre Company; BoHo Theatre at Heartland Studio Theatre, 7016 N. Glenwood Ave.; 773-791-2393.
The Franklin Expedition:
The world premiere of an ensemble-created drama about the adventures of Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, who disappeared on his final voyage in 1845.: through Oct. 30; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $20-$25; $15 for students; $10 previews through Sept. 26; $40 for Sept. 28 performance; presented by The Building Stage; The Building Stage, 412 N. Carpenter St.; 773-403-0468.
A multimedia, supernatural thriller in which a husband and wife--who may or may not be dead--communicate through radio static while an unknown presence lurks in the darkness.: through Oct. 31; 8:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat., Thu. - Fri.; $20; presented by Infusion Theatre Co.; Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-935-6100.
The Gin Game:
An elderly woman and her male companion at a nursing home reveal more than they intend as they reflect on desperate hopes and poor choices while playing cards.: through Nov. 20; 8 p.m. Fri.; 3 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $10-$20; Lincoln Square Theatre, 4754 N. Leavitt St.; 773-275-7930.
John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz's rock-music retelling of the gospel of Matthew.: through Oct. 31; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $25-$28; $15 for students; Provision Theater, 1001 W. Roosevelt Rd.; 866-811-4111.
The Great Plays of Terrence McNally:
See staged readings of plays about various facets of the gay experience by the American playwright ("Kiss of the Spider Woman," "The Full Monty," "Ragtime"). The productions feature a rotating roster of guest directors and hosts.: through Sun.; 7 p.m. ("The Ritz," at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont Ave.)) Sun.; $10; $5 for students and theater professionals; presented by Pride Films and Plays; Various locations, Chicago; 773-250-3112.
Gross Indecency:
The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde: In its inaugural production, Black Elephant Theatre stages this drama by Moises Kaufman ("The Laramie Project") about the gay Victorian-era author and the scandals surrounding his sex life, based on news accounts, biographies, interviews with scholars and more.: through Nov. 14; 8:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3:30 p.m. Sun.; 8:30 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $18-$22; $15 previews through Oct. 9; presented by Black Elephant Theatre ; Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St.; 800-838-3006.
A trio of pre-teen girls face unexpected consequences when they immerse themselves in a rehearsal for Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in this drama making its Chicago premiere.: through Tue.; 8 p.m. Tue.; $12; Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-598-4549.
I Saw You:
Humorous and poignant vignettes inspired by actual local missed-connections postings, personals ads and solicitations for sexual encounters.: through Open End; 8 p.m. Wed.; $5; presented by Bruised Orange Theater Company; Town Hall Pub, 3340 N. Halsted Ave.; 773-472-4405.
: An adaptation of Franz Kafka's novel, "The Trial," in which a man's life becomes a nightmare after he arrested but cannot defend himself because no one explains which rules he has broken.: through Nov. 28; 7:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $28; $14 for students; $14 previews through Oct. 23; presented by The Hypocrites; Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; 773-989-7352.
In the wake of a school shooting, parents allow their kids to carry guns to school for protection; one teacher grapples with the decision as he considers his own son's safety at the school. Andrew Hinderaker, resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists, wrote the world-premiere drama.: through Nov. 21; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $22-$28; $10 previews through Oct. 18; presented by Stage Left Theatre; Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-975-8150.
Late Nite Catechism:
A humorous interactive play about a catechism class and the jovial nun who leads it.: through Open End; 8 p.m. Sat., Thu.; $30; Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St.; 312-988-9000.
Long Day's Journey Into Night:
In this Pulitzer Prize-winning, semi-autobiographical drama by Eugene O'Neill, a family's alcohol and drug addictions simmer to the surface during confrontations at their summer home.: through Dec. 5; 7:30 p.m. Tue., Thu. - Fri.; $19; $10 for students; $10 previews through Oct. 27; presented by Polarity Ensemble Theatre; Josephinum Academy, 1500 N. Bell Ave.; 800-838-3006.
Louis Slotin Sonata:
The Midwest premiere of Seattle playwright Paul Mullin's drama--based on true events--explores the experiences of a Los Alamos bomb builder who becomes a walking dead man for nine days after a radiation accident.: through Sun.; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; $25-$30; $15 previews through Sept. 12; A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St.; 312-943-8722.
McMeekin Finds Out:
A new comedy by local playwright Scott T. Barsotti ("The Revenants") about a cranky couple recovering from car accident injuries whose lives get more complicated when their teen daughter confesses that she may have made a terrible mistake.: through Nov. 14; 8 p.m. Fri.; 4:30 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 2:30 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $25-$35; presented by Route 66 Theatre Company; Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-871-3000.
Me Too, I am Catherine Deneuve:
A dark comedy by French playwright Pierre Notte explores the dynamics in a family whose members struggle for self-identication. Parisian guest artist Valery Warnotte directs.: through Nov. 20; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat., Thu. - Fri.; $20; two-for-one on Thursdays; Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland Ave.; 773-384-0494.
Million Dollar Quartet:
This musical--which moves to the Apollo directly from a run at Goodman Theatre--recreates a legendary, impromptu 1956 Sun Records recording session featuring Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis and includes the hit songs "Blue Suede Shoes," "My Baby," "16 Tons" and more.: through May 29; 8 p.m. Fri.; 5 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. Sun.; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Wed.; 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $25-$77.50; Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-935-6100.
Never Have I Ever:
The Musical: In this one-act musical comedy, old college chums reunite to celebrate a couple's engagement, but tensions rise during a high-stakes round of the "Never Have I Ever" drinking game when the groom-to-be reveals his bisexual past.: through Oct. 30; 10:30 p.m. Sat.; $10; $8 for students; presented by Heckle Her Productions; The Second City's De Maat Studio Theater, 1616 N. Wells St. Piper's Alley, 3rd Floor; 312-337-3992.
Night and Day:
In this satire by Tom Stoppard ("Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead") about the importance of political journalism and the press' exploitation of celebs' personal lives to sell papers, competing British journalists hound a prominent expatriate couple in hopes of getting the scoop on a fictional African country's impending civil war.: through Oct. 31; 7:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 2:30 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Wed. - Fri.; $35-$50; $15-$20 for students; $30-$35 previews through Sept. 26; presented by Remy Bumppo Theatre Company; Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-404-7336.
A Night of Dramedy: 'Outlaw' and 'Bar Stories':
A double-bill of one-acts about a corporate warrior who struggles with the price of success; and a "slice of life" piece about the experiences of employees and patrons at a tavern during a playoff game.: through Thu.; 7:30 p.m. Thu.; $10; presented by Visual Edge Entertainment, Inc.; Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-598-4549.
A Voyeuristic Love Story: In this world premiere drama by Jennifer Barclay ("Freedom, NY"), set in a society where activities are monitored, a man invents a story to win his neighbor's heart. When a stranger interrupts their reclusive lifestyle, dark secrets surface.: through Sat.; 8 p.m. Fri.; 3 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; $25; $15 for students; presented by Red Tape Theatre; Red Tape Theatre, 621 W. Belmont Ave. St. Peter's Episcopal Church; 773-329-1088.
In David Mamet's drama, tensions escalate when a female college student files a harassment report against her male professor, but continues to meet with him.: through Oct. 30; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sun.; 3 p.m. Sat.; $35-$40; $50 for Sept. 20 performance; American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St.; 773-409-4125.
The Other Cinderella:
Black Ensemble Theatre updates its 1976 debut by Jackie Taylor, an urban musical inspired by the classic fairytale, in which a "fairy godmama" arrives from Jamaica to help the housing project-dwelling heroine.: through Open End; 8 p.m. Fri.; 3 p.m. Sat. - Sun.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $45; $40 previews through Oct. 23; presented by Black Ensemble Theater; Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon St.; 773-769-4451.
The Other Shore:
A drama by Nobel Prize-winner Gao Xingjian based on a Buddhist parable in which various characters struggle over the conflict between individual and collective wills.: through Nov. 14; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 6:30 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $15; $25 for Oct. 23 performance; presented by A-Squared Theatre Workshop and Circa/Pintig; Vietnamese Association of Illinois, 5110 N. Broadway; 773-961-8565.
Our Country's Good:
A drama explores the inhabitants of a newly formed penal colony in 18th Century Australia, populated with exiled British convicts.: through Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; $7-$15; Loyola University Chicago Mullady Theatre, 6525 N. Sheridan Rd.; 773-508-3847.
Peter Pan (A Play):
Lookingglass Theatre Company incorporates aerial arts into an adaptation of J.M. Barrie's classic tale of pirates, fairies and a boy who refuses to grow up.: through Dec. 12; 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sat. - Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Wed. - Fri.; $34-$62; $20-$34 previews through Oct. 29; presented by Lookingglass Theatre Company; Lookingglass Theatre in the Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-337-0665.
Following her father's death, a college dropout claims to have discovered a brilliant new mathematical formula based on his research, but her estranged sister and her father's former grad student suspect she has inherited his madness, not his genius. Chicago native David Auburn wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama.: through Nov. 14; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sun., Thu. - Fri.; $25; $15 students; presented by Chicago Fusion Theatre; Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St.; 312-988-9000.
Put the Nuns in Charge!:
A sequel to "Late Nite Catechism" features a jovial nun and her humorous take on the Catholic church and the state of the world.: through Open End; 8 p.m. Fri., Fri.; $30; Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St.; 312-988-9000; 312-988-9000.
Reefer Madness! The Musical:
The award-winning parody from writers Kevin Murphy ("Desperate Housewives") and Dan Studney ("Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical"), inspired by the 1936 film "Reefer Madness," skewers attitudes toward youth, jazz, sex and violence.: through Sun.; 7 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; $15-$20; The Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave.; 773-296-6024.
The Rip Nelson Halloween Spooktacular:
In this spoof of 1970s TV specials, a tormented, self-sabotaging comedian hosts a Halloween-themed variety show featuring songs, sketches and appearances by characters portraying Hollywood icons.: through Nov. 6; 7:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat., Fri.; $12-$17; $10 previews through Oct. 8; presented by Hell in a Handbag Productions; Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St.; 800-838-3006.
he Rocky Horror Show:
See the cult classic in its original form (the 1975 film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" came after the stage version), in which a naive couple embark on a transsexual adventure after stumbling into the world of a mad scientist and his alien assistants. Prop bags are available for purchase only (don't bring your own). Costumes encouraged.: through Oct. 30; 8 p.m. Fri.; 8 p.m., 11:30 p.m. Sat.; 8 p.m. Sun.; 11:30 p.m. Fri.; $20; presented by NightBlue Performing Arts Company; Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-327-5252.
Romeo and Juliet:
Shakespeare's tragedy of two young lovers and their warring families. Queensland Theatre Company artistic director Gale Edwards directs.: through Nov. 14; 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 3 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Wed.; 7:30 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $44-$75; Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave.; 312-595-5600.
The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton under the Direction of the Great Sea Serpent):
Robot vs. Dinosaur performs an original comedy play about scantily clad Nordic women who venture off to search for their men, inspired by 1950s Roger Corman "babes-ploitation" films and the 1960s Peter Weiss play, "Marat/Sade.": through Sat.; 10:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; $15; presented by Robot vs. Dinosaur; Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-327-5252.
Saints & Sinners:
From Vicki Quade ("Late Night Catechism" and "Put the Nuns in Charge!") comes an interactive comedy in which a Mother Superior hatches a scheme to raise funds for her parish during the economic downturn.: through Open End; 5 p.m. Sat.; $30; Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St.; 312-988-9000.
Salem! The Musical:
An all-female cast portrays a bumbling businessman and his daughter in New England in 1692 at the start of the witchcraft trials. Includes a raffle and a performance by improv troupe Bassprov.: through Nov. 13; 8 p.m. Sat.; $15; presented by Annoyance Productions; The Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665.
The Scarecrow:
The audience moves to different locations inside the former Pullman train factory between scenes of this adaptation of "The Feathertop," by Nathaniel Hawthorne ("The Scarlet Letter") about a scarecrow brought to life by Satan to seek revenge on a well-to-do businessman. But complications arise when he falls in love with the man's daughter.: through Nov. 14; 8 p.m. Fri.; 7 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $15; $10 for kids 12 and under; pay-what-you-can previews through Oct. 16; presented by Theatre-Hikes and the Pullman State Historic Site; Historic Pullman Clock Tower Administration Building, 11057 S. Cottage Grove Ave.; 773-660-2341.
In this drama by Lebanese-French-Canadian playwright Wajdi Mouawad, a Canadian brother and sister visit their late mother's war-torn homeland in search of the father and brother they've just discovered they have.: through Nov. 7; 8 p.m. Fri.; 4 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 4 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Wed. - Thu.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $20-$34; presented by Silk Road Theatre Project; The Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St.; 312-857-1234.
The Seagull:
In Anton Chekhov's drama, elements of romance, intrigue and unrequited love tangle when a famous actress returns home with her young lover.: through Nov. 14; 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Wed. - Thu.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $10-$45; Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; 312-443-3800.
Six Stories Up on Ellis Island:
Teens and adult mentors from Asian, Middle Eastern, African-American, Latin and European backgrounds perform an original drama in which a student, assigned to write a research paper about immigration, discovers that most of his friends' ancestors did not arrive in America via Ellis Island.: through Sun.; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; $15; $10 for students; presented by Tellin' Tales Theatre; Prop Thtr, 3504 N. Elston Ave.; 312-409-1025.
In David Mamet's Hollywood satire, two movie producers react badly when their idealistic secretary thwarts their attempts to make a new blockbuster. Shown in rotating repertory with "Oleanna.": through Oct. 31; 8 p.m. Sat., Thu. - Fri.; 3 p.m. Sun.; $35-$40; $50 for Sept. 20 performance; American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St.; 773-409-4125.
Splatter Theater:
Annoyance Productions remounts its inaugural 1987 production, a parody of the "Friday the 13th" movies, in which an all-white stage set gets covered in "blood" as school-based archetypes (the jock, the virgin, etc.) meet gruesome ends.: through Oct. 31; 10 p.m. Sat.; $15; presented by Annoyance Productions; The Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665.
State of the Union:
The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Russel Crouse and Howard Lindsay (later, a Frank Capra film of the same title starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy) follows a presidential candidate who reunites with his estranged wife on the campaign trail only to fall prey to the political machine.: through Nov. 13; 8 p.m. Fri.; 4 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. - Mon.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $20-$40; $15 for students; $10 previews through Oct. 8; presented by Strawdog Theatre Company; Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway 2nd Floor; 773-528-9696.
Sunday in the Park with George:
Stephen Sondheim's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, a fictionalized account of the painter Georges Seurat and the creation of his masterpiece, "A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte.": through Oct. 31; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 2:30 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $38; presented by Porchlight Music Theatre; Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-327-5252.
Sunday School Cinema:
From Vicki Quade ("Late Night Catechism" and "Put the Nuns in Charge!") comes an interactive comedy in
which a strict nun reviews popular films.: through Open End; 3 p.m. Sun.; $30; Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St.; 312-988-9000.
Supernatural Chicago:
Explore Chicago's allegedly paranormal past during this one-man show starring necromancer Neil Tobin. The 90-minute performance blends local tales with interactive demonstrations inside the building noted by A&E's "Sightings" as one of the city's most haunted.: through Open End; 7:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat., Fri.; $25; includes two drinks. RSVP recommended; Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn St.; 800-979-3370.
Sweet Bird of Youth:
In Tennessee Williams' drama, narrow-mindedness, political greed and racial tensions rise when a black sheep returns to his hometown to reclaim his childhood sweetheart.: through Nov. 28; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 8 p.m. Fri.; $28; $20 for students on Thursdays and Sundays; The Artistic Home, 3914 N. Clark St.; 773-404-1100.
Thieves Like Us:
A Depression Era gangster who makes a break for Mexico must decide whether to attempt to break his sidekick out of jail or go it alone with his girlfriend.: through Oct. 30; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $25-$29; presented by House Theatre of Chicago; Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; 773-769-3832.
Tommy Gun's Garage:
Gangsters and flappers perform a musical comedy revue set in a 1929 Chicago speakeasy. Includes dinner.: through Open End; 7 p.m. Fri.; 6 p.m. Sat., Wed. - Thu.; 5:30 p.m. Sun.; 7 p.m. Fri.; $60-$70; Tommy Gun's Garage, 2114 S. Wabash Ave.; 312-225-0273; 773-728-2828.
Too Much Memory:
A modern adaptation of the classic Greek tragedy, "Antigone," follows the humorous and dramatic struggles of a contemporary political family.: through Nov. 13; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $20; $15 for students on Thursdays and Sundays; $30 for Oct. 9 performance; pay-what-you-can preview Oct. 6; presented by Sinnerman Ensemble; The Side Project Theatre, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave.; 773-728-3361.
Triple Feature:
A showcase of three one-act plays and/or musicals by three emerging directors. The plays (and directors) change every two weeks.: through Nov. 17; 8 p.m. Wed.; $5; presented by Annoyance Productions; The Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665.
True Twilight:
A Glee Club Musical: A campy musical parody of popular tales including "True Blood," "Twilight," "High School Musical" and "Glee" follows the adventures of a new Wiccan Park resident, torn between her attractions to an undead charmer and a sexy shapeshifter, who causes havoc when she auditions for an upcoming theater production.: through Nov. 13; 8:15 p.m. Sat.; $12; Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-598-4549.
Wuthering Heights:
In this world-premiere adaptation of Emily Bronte's classic novel, revenge and retribution ensue when a couple devoted to each other since childhood are brutally torn apart.: through Oct. 31; 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 4 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat.; 4 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $32-$35; $20 for students and previews through Sept. 19; Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave.; 773-761-4477.
Zombies Attack Chicago:
Audience volunteers cast themselves into this interactive onstage "horror movie" about an emergency response team who use training to suppress a zombie outbreak. Audience members can also shout suggestions such as "don't open that door" to the cast.: through Nov. 6; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat., Thu. - Fri.; $15; The Spot, 4437 N. Broadway; 773-728-8934.
Zulu Fits:
Teenage revolutionaries The Blow-Up Sistas, emboldened by internet fame, attempt to break a "black power" advocate out of prison. But they all fall victim to mysterious seizures known as the Zulu Fits.: through Nov. 7; 8 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. - Fri.; $21-$23; presented by MPAACT; Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-404-7336.


text:
- Authors:
Publication Date:
December 2012
While corporations have always had to think carefully about their policies and oversight procedures, the Citizens United decision has increased that need and raised new questions about the role of disclosure. Companies are now struggling with how to respond to the increased interest of stakeholders. This report is intended to help corporations deepen their understanding of issues related to their involvement in the political process and to offer a variety of approaches for political spending, disclosure, and accountability. Its goals are to inform, not to instruct, and to highlight viable options, not to advocate a specific agenda.
This publication is complimentary.
To gain access to it and our other free content, click "Read more" and create an account.


text:
The Rev. James Favorite, senior pastor of Tampa's Beulah Baptist Institutional Church, serves as chair of the local chapter of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA).
Ten years ago, Favorite said the idea of speaking about sexuality and HIV/AIDS from the pulpit was "not even a consideration." But the disease became more personal when a church member came to Favorite a few years ago concerned about her HIV-positive son, who was afraid of dying and going to hell. Favorite counseled them about God's grace, and he began to rethink his own approach to the disease.
"Before we can save the soul, we have to save the life," Favorite said. "That means education. That means prevention. That has to be our first priority."
NBLCA trains local pastors on ministering with love and without condemnation, said Favorite. So far, roughly 35 area clergy have taken the course. Another is scheduled for July.
Like Favorite, Carlton Burgess felt compelled to act against HIV/AIDS. The songwriter-composer, founder of the Burgess School of the Arts in Ybor City, recruited three friends to sing with him on an inspirational, pop-influenced gospel recording, "Love Never Gives Up." Proceeds from the "Carlton Burgess & Friends" CD benefit HIV/AIDS charities.
"When I wrote the lyrics, I got very emotional, very tearful, remembering all the great people with so much talent who have lost their lives to [AIDS]," said Burgess. "For those who are still living with it, we have to love them unconditionally. We can't be judgmental; we can't throw away people in our society who are dealing with it."
For more information about the July NBLCA training, telephone 813-251-5591. To view a video about Burgess' initiative, visit www2.tbo.com/news/2011/jun/24/2/local-composer-advocates-for-those-with-60214-vi-23041/.


text:
Amazonian warrior princess Diana of Themyscira, a.k.a. Wonder Woman, is destined for either an appearance on the big screen (in live-action form, that is) or a return to television; right now, it's merely a question of when and how will she be represented in the 21st century.
The collective public demand has only increased in volume in the meantime, as seemingly everyone (us here at Screen Rant included, naturally) has their own recommendations for casting and/or how to adapt the WW mythology to fit within the budding DC shared cinematic universe (established by Zack Snyder in this year's Superman franchise reboot, Man of Steel).
The short of it? Someone needs to step up to the plate, if WB/DC wants to avoid taking (even more) flack for prioritizing TV shows like Gotham (i.e. a procedural drama featuring the Gotham City police) before they've either made additional progress on the proposed Amazon TV series (i.e. a prequel TV show that would be to Diana what Smallville is to Kal-El/Superman) and/or formally announced that active development has started on a Wonder Woman movie.
WB CEO Kevin Tsujihara has now officially added his voice to the growing outcry from the public, having said (via THR):
"We need to get Wonder Woman on the big screen or TV."
Tsujihara once again reaffirmed that the studio has "huge plans for a number of other DC properties on TV," even though he also acknowledged that the major brand properties (be they DC comic book movies or Harry Potter spinoffs) need to be balanced with more modestly-budgeted and/or original fare hereon out.
Interestingly, the box office success of Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity (an original sci-fi movie) should prove beneficial in terms of getting a Wonder Woman movie made, since it offers further proof that actress-headlined tentpoles are, in fact, bankable; not to mention, demonstrates that the best female characters are the ones written as people first (not "women"). Meanwhile, over at Marvel, talk of an Agent Carter TV series and female superhero movie being developed have only gotten the comic book crowd buzzing more and more about the (lack of a) Wonder Woman film to counter.
Of course, there have been a couple of attempts to get either a Wonder Woman TV show or film off the ground in recent years. Ally McBeal creator David E. Kelley envisioned Diana as a working-class gal with a secret identity, but the pilot for his TV series never reached the airwaves (and with good reason). Similarly, before that, Avengers director and Agents of SHIELD co-creator Joss Whedon strived to put together a Wonder Woman movie using a narrative formula - where Diana is taught compassion for humanity's failings by a mortal love interest - that Marvel Studios would, to a degree, eventually wind up employing in order to introduce Thor to a mainstream audience.
Then again, such big names as DC President Diane Nelson have (indirectly) acknowledged that there are key differences between Princess of Themyscira and someone like the God of Thunder (besides gender, that is), since the former is far more iconic and representative of important feminist ideals (to mention nothing of the variation, when it comes to her origin story). As such, introducing Wonder Woman to the big screen with a semi-comical fish-out-of-water setup (a la how director Kenneth Branagh did with the Thor character) might not be the best way to about managing the task.
Curiously, the one filmmaker who has spoken about taking a Biblical approach to Wonder Woman - along the line of Snyder's take on Superman - is Nicolas Winding Refn, who has previously expressed his desire to adapt the DC mainstay to the big screen. It's an interesting prospect, the idea of a Wonder Woman film with the mythological heaviness of Valhalla Rising (Refn's Viking drama, starring Hannibal's Mads Mikkelsen) and a version of Diana with as much coiled piss and vinegar in her spirit as Kristin Scott Thomas's dragon-mom in Only God Forgives (albeit, with the physical prowess to match). But... yeah, that's probably not going to happen.
What does seem more likely is the chance that the Wonder Woman movie could bear a resemblance to the stylish short film/concept pitch that Rainfall Films unveiled but a week ago (at the time of writing this); or, maybe in the vein of the grittier Thor sequel, a.k.a. the upcoming Thor: The Dark World. As for the possible TV show in the form of Amazon: after Smallville, Arrow and the upcoming The Flash, there's not much reason to assume that the presentation will be anything revolutionary. (Whether it will or won't do justice by the character, that's another story...)
We'll keep you posted on any future Wonder Woman-related talk as we hear it.
Source: THR


text:
Probate and Estate Planning Conference for Tennessee Attorneys - Materials Only
Held in Nashville: Thursday and Friday, December 7-8, 2017
Nashville School of Law — Free parking and free wireless internet access
4013 Armory Oaks Dr.
Nashville, TN 37204
The 9th annual Probate & Estate Planning Conference for Tennessee Attorneys packs two days with some of the state's top estate planning and probate practitioners delivering critical guidance on the hottest topics and some of the most complex issues you'll face. Your distinguished faculty will explain the very latest developments and strategies:
- Advanced estate planning tips
- Will drafting "dos and don'ts" and "must-have" provisions
- Essentials for implementing and handling conservatorships and guardianships
- Estate planning with trusts
- Tips for practicing in probate court
- Tips, techniques, and things to watch for in probate and estate planning
- Dealing with estate, income, and generation-skipping transfer taxes
- Tips for drafting estate planning documents
- When and how to set up special needs trusts and/or charitable trusts
- Advance care planning tips
- Understanding issues that arise in small estates
- Trusts, estate planning, and probate update
- Defining who your client is from the start
- Ethical issues facing trust and estate planning attorneys and ethical issues that arise when choosing a client
- Sample forms and checklists
9 reasons you should get these materials:
- Outstanding faculty. You'll hear from leading attorneys in estate planning and probate practice from across the state in Tennessee.
- Tips on estate planning. You'll receive valuable tips in planning with trusts, including those that can be used in drafting GDOTs, GRATs, and QPRTs, and get advice on avoiding unintended consequences when drafting estate planning documents.
- Tips on will drafting. You'll get tips on drafting wills in 2018 and beyond and on how to build flexibility into the estate plan.
- Probate practice. Gain valuable information to use when probating a will or administering an estate, including information on how to determine the elective share estate and homestead allowance.
- Practical information. You'll get practical information you can put to use in your practice immediately, including what to look for in reviewing a client's existing estate plan, drafting charitable trusts, duties and liabilities of a personal representative, and the latest on conservatorships and guardianships in Tennessee.
- Estate tax issues. Learn how to handle federal and state estate tax issues, income tax issues for the estate and heirs, and generation-skipping transfer tax issues.
- Elder law. You'll get information on drafting special needs trusts, handling durable powers of attorney for financial matters and powers of attorney for healthcare, and helping clients with their long-term advance planning issues.
- Ethical considerations. You'll gain valuable insights on how to handle difficult-to-resolve dilemmas faced when choosing your clients and issues that arise in a trust and estate planning practice.
- Update. You'll get an update on probate litigation case law and legislation.
Your Faculty
Rebecca C. Blair, founder of The Blair Law Firm in Brentwood, has developed an immensely diverse practice in 20 years. She has substantial experience in many aspects of civil litigation, including tort law, insurance coverage litigation, business litigation, and probate litigation. She is listed as a Rule 31 General Civil mediator. She was voted one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in the Mid-South in 2012 by Mid-South Super Lawyers/Memphis Magazine. She was also elected to Best Lawyers in America® for her work in Business Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs. Ms. Blair has been elected by her peers as a Mid-South Super Lawyer in the area of Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation every year since 2009. She is a past president of the Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women, a past board member of the Nashville Bar Association and a past chair of the Bench Bar Committee of the Tennessee Judicial Conference.
Alan Cates, with Husch Blackwell in Chattanooga, is a member of the firm's Financial Services & Capital Markets industry team, focusing his practice on investment management and private wealth matters. With decades of comprehensive legal experience, he has guided individuals and their businesses in estate planning and business succession planning. He has also represented individual and institutional executors and trustees in virtually all sorts of litigation matters, both as defense counsel and initiating action. He has represented taxpayers in administrative proceedings and in courtrooms, and provided critical services to tax-exempt organizations and has served as "general counsel" to families and their businesses. Mr. Cates frequently presents on financial topics such as taxation, estate planning, business succession planning and probate and trust issues across the country. He has spoken before the Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee Society of CPAs, estate planning councils, and at estate planning and planned-giving seminars at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University, and the University of New Haven. He is a member of the Tennessee Probate Study Committee, which reviews and comments on pending legislation in the areas of trusts, estates and similar issues. Before entering private practice in 1975, he served as the planned giving officer for the University of Tennessee. He also served on the faculty of the National Planned Giving Institute at the College of William & Mary for more than 25 years. Mr. Cates has been listed in Best Lawyers In America®, Litigation-Trusts and Estates, Non-Profit/Charities Law, and Trusts and Estates since 2003, and he was named Chattanooga Trusts and Estates "Lawyer of the Year," in 2010 and 2017. He has been listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers® since 2006.
Harlan Dodson, with Dodson Parker Behm and Capparella PC in Nashville, has been helping people and businesses solve problems and plan for the future for more than 40 years. Clients seeking general business advice, estate planning services, or representation in litigation count on his vast experience and track record of getting the job done. Mr. Dodson provides hands-on guidance for his clients, whether working with them to launch a business, structure a complex real estate deal, or draft a will. Upon graduation from Vanderbilt University, he joined his father's firm, Hooker, Keeble, Dodson & Harris. In 1985, he founded Dodson & Associates, and the firm merged with Shipley & Behm in 1988. He is a frequent speaker and writer on business entities, and especially limited liability companies, as well as on wills and estate planning. He has taught Estate Planning at the Nashville School of Law since 1975, where he was presented with the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2007. He has also served as Adjunct Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University. He is the editor to the West Publishing Company's Tennessee Practice Series volumes on business formation and estate planning. Additionally, he continues to be a lecturer for the bar review company BAR-BRI on wills and estates. He is the author of Introduction to Estate Planning and Administration in Tennessee, the definitive textbook on the subject matter.
Donald J. Farinato, with Hodges Doughty & Carson, PLLC, in Knoxville, has been practicing law for more than 15 years, and his practice focuses on the administration of all types of estates and trusts. He represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries in routine probate matters, as well as in complex probate proceedings and in estate controversies. He builds on his administration expertise to help clients craft individualized estate plans through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, advance care plans, and other estate planning documents and techniques. He works with families and courts in conservatorship and guardianship matters, and also assists individuals with wealth transfer tax return preparation and audits. He also provides legal advice to businesses for various formation and operational matters. Mr. Farinato frequently lectures on various estate planning, estate administration and related topics, including ethics in estate planning and revisions to tax laws. He has spoken at seminars produced by various organizations, including the Knoxville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee Attorneys Memo, and the Knoxville Estate Planning Council. In addition to presenting seminars to attorneys, he also presents seminars to non-attorneys, financial advisors, paralegals and civic organizations.
Elizabeth B. Hickman is an association with Goodman Callahan Blackstone, PLLC, in Nashville. Her practice is focused on probate, estate and trust administration, family business and conservatorships. Prior to joining Goodman Callahan Blackstone, Ms. Hickman practiced law in the Nashville area and spent six-and-a-half years at Cumberland Trust and Investment Company, during which time she attained her law degree. As a Vice-President and Trust Officer with Cumberland, Ms. Hickman worked with families and handled the administration of complex estates throughout Tennessee. Ms. Hickman is a member of the Probate Committee of the Nashville Bar Association and Secretary/Treasurer of the Estate Planning Council of Middle Tennessee.
Glen Kyle, elder law attorney with Monica Franklin & Associates in Knoxville, concentrates his practice in the areas of life care planning, estate planning, and probate and trust administration. Before attending law school, he traveled extensively in Europe and lived in Edinburgh, Scotland. He earned a bachelor's degree in History from Rutgers University in 2005. He then worked in retail banking for nine years, during which time he developed strong relationships with older adults in the Murfreesboro community. Throughout his banking career, Mr. Kyle saw the need for our society to protect older adults from financial exploitation. These experiences led him to earn a law degree from the only Tennessee University with an Elder Law Clinic – the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Through the Elder Law Clinic and elder law classes, Mr. Kyle graduated with a working knowledge of estate planning, Medicaid, and Medicare. In addition to being an honor student, Mr. Kyle was elected by peers and professors to be the Business Editor of the Memphis Law Review. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Knoxville Estate Planning Council, the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the Knoxville Bar Association, and the Tennessee Bar Association.
Patrick B. Mason is a founding member of the Mason Zoccola Law Firm, PLLC, in Memphis, where he concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, probate litigation and corporate law. Mr. Mason earned an accounting degree in 1979 at the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. in 1986 at Vanderbilt University School of Law. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1981 and has been practicing law for the last 31 years in Memphis. When he is not practicing law, he loves playing tuba with the Mullins Community Orchestra, his home church's musical ensemble. A part of the Mullins UMC family for over fifty years, he is one of the leaders of the church and invests much of his time in church activities, including singing as a baritone in the choir.
Steve McDaniel, with Williams and McDaniel in Memphis, is an accredited estate planner and an estate planning law specialist. He is also a Rule 31 Listed Mediator in the field of General Civil Mediation, as certified by the Tennessee Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. He was previously a member of Wyatt Tarrant & Combs LLP in Memphis. He was named one of the Top 100 Estate Planning Attorneys by Worth Magazine. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Litigation-Trusts & Estates and Trusts & Estates since 2007, and he was named the Trusts and Estates "Lawyer of the Year" in Memphis in 2014 and 2016. He was named one of the Top 150 Attorneys in the State of Tennessee by Business Tennessee Magazine. He was listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers® in the field of Estate Planning & Probate from 2006 to 2014.
Sara E. McManus is an associate with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, in Chattanooga. Ms. McManus holds an LL.M. in Taxation and has experience in a wide variety of tax-related areas, including federal tax controversy, state and local tax controversy, conservation easements, nonprofit and exempt organizations, and estate and succession planning, including international estate planning. Ms. McManus was named a "Rising Star" by Mid-South Super Lawyers® in 2016. She is President-Elect of the Southeast Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women (SETLAW) Board of Directors. Ms. McManus also has experience in probate litigation including representation of estates as well as matters related to creditor claims. In addition, she has experience representing investors and developers as to EB-5 immigration. She has also represented individual and business taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Tax Court and the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Representative tax controversy matters include negotiation of installment agreements for individual and business taxpayers, representation of estates as to audits of federal estate tax returns, and representation as to federal and state level audits of individuals and businesses.
Hunter R. Mobley is Of Counsel at Howard Mobley Hayes & Gontarek PLLC, specializing in the areas of estate planning and administration, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and tax-exempt organization law. In addition to representing individuals and families, he represents churches and charities in tax, governance and gift acceptance matters. From simple wills to tax-sensitive trust documents, he enjoys meeting with individuals and families of all shapes and sizes. Hunter is a frequent speaker at local and statewide continuing legal education seminars on estate planning and charitable planning. He is an adjunct professor at Belmont University's College of Law as an adjunct professor. He received an LL.M in Taxation from New York University, a J.D. from the University of Kentucky and a B.S. from Davidson College. In the community, he serves on the boards of Association for the Preservation of Tennessee's Antiquities (APTA), Montgomery Bell Academy Young Alumni, Christian Women's Job Corps (CWJC) and Christ Church. He also serves on the Planned Giving Advisory Council for Alive Hospice in Nashville.
Jeff Mobley, a member of Howard Mobley Hayes & Gontarek PLLC in Nashville, concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, tax planning for estates and trusts, business succession planning, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, estate administration, resolution of disputes involving estates, and related real estate matters. He is certified as an Estate Planning Specialist. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America® (2001-2014 editions) and Mid-South Super Lawyers (2005-2013 editions). He is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He has served as President of the Nashville Estate Planning Council and as Chair of the Probate Court Committee of the Nashville Bar Association, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Nashville Bar Association. He is a co-author of Pritchard on the Laws of Wills and Administration of Estates(7th Ed. 2009). He is an adjunct professor at Belmont University's College of Law. He was listed as one of the top lawyers in Tennessee by Business Tennessee magazine (Jan/Feb 2010), one of only eight attorneys listed as tops statewide in the area of Trusts & Estates. He was listed as one of the top lawyers in Nashville by Nashville Post magazine (Jan/Feb 2011), one of only five attorneys listed as tops citywide in the area of Trusts & Estates.
Julie Travis Moss is Of Counsel with The Blair Law Firm in Brentwood. Her practice areas include estate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, estate planning, real estate, and related litigation. She also advises closely held business owners regarding general corporate matters. She has more than 18 years of diverse legal experience, including ten years as a general practitioner in Michigan and teaching legal writing at Vanderbilt Law School. With her depth of experience, Ms. Moss provides comprehensive services to meet our clients' diverse needs. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and her J.D. degree from Loyola University Chicago. She is licensed to practice in the states of Tennessee, Michigan and Illinois (inactive) and is also admitted to practice before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States District Courts for the Middle District of Tennessee, the Western District of Michigan, and the Northern District of Illinois. She speaks frequently on estate planning, administration, and litigation topics, and she is a member of the Nashville Bar Association's probate and estate planning committees.
Michelle Poss, with the Law Office of A. Michelle Poss in Nashville, is a sole practitioner focusing her practice in areas of elder law, disability and probate, including estate administrations, conservatorships and guardianships, trust administrations, Social Security and V.A. claims. Ms. Poss is also a V.A. accredited attorney. She received her J.D. from the Nashville School of Law in 1998 and practiced with Finch & McBroom for almost 6 years. She joined Sobel, Poss & Moore in September 2004. She is an active member of the Nashville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association and the Conservatorship Association of Tennessee. Ms. Poss is Tennessee Attorneys for Justice pro bono service award recipient. She is a member of the Nashville Bar Association Memorial Service Committee and is a Nashville Bar Association Fellow. She currently serves as a board member of the Conservatorship Association of Tennessee, CASA and the St. Thomas Foundation Murfree Circle.
Full Agenda
Thursday, December 7 (Day 1)
Planning Opportunities & Challenges in 2018 and Beyond
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Harlan Dodson
Dodson, Parker, Behm & Capparella, PC
Mr. Dodson will offer tips and strategies for drafting wills in 2018 and beyond, including drafting "dos and don'ts," building flexibility into the plan, "must-have" provisions, and the need to keep your clients current on their wills and estate plans.
Client Screening and Intake
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Julie Travis Moss
The Blair Law Firm
- Defining who your client is from the start
- Clarifying goals and forecasting needs
- Avoiding conflicts of interest
- Assessing current and future assets and debts
- Dealing with family dynamics: Past, present and future
- Handling clients with diminishing mental capacity
- Lawyers acting as fiduciaries
- What to look for in reviewing existing estate plans
- Sample info gathering forms and checklists
Morning break
10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Using Trusts as an Estate Planning Tool
10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Jeff Mobley & Hunter Mobley
Howard Mobley Hayes & Gontarek, PLLC
Trusts are powerful tools that can be used to achieve specific estate planning goals, regardless of the size of your client's estate. Over the past several years Tennessee has enacted cutting-edge legislation regarding Tennessee trust laws. This presentation will walk you through the various types of trusts used in Tennessee and will discuss recent legislative changes, creditor rights with regard to trusts, the taxation of trusts, and the use of various trusts as an estate planning tool.
Lunch (included with registration)
12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Understanding the Role of the Personal Representative in Probate
1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Alan L. Cates
Husch Blackwell LLP
The duties of a personal representative are dictated in a will and controlled by the probate laws of Tennessee. The duties of a personal representative are directly related to the stages of executing the will or trust such as: Identifying assets, paying the bills, filing lawsuits (if needed), and closing out the estate in accordance with the will and controlling probate law. Failure to adhere to the required duties can result in heirs filing a lawsuit against the personal representative for breach of fiduciary duty alleging that the personal representative owed a statutory and reasonable duty to protect the assets of the estate while trying to wind down the estate, and then breached that duty by failing to exercise due diligence to perform the tasks required.
- Duties of the personal representative
- Misconduct and/or removal
- Compensation guidelines
- Special administration issues
2017 Probate Litigation Case Law and Legislative Update
2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Rebecca Blair
The Blair Law Firm
Ms. Blair will walk you through some of the most significant cases and legislative changes from the past year.
Afternoon break
3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Probate Practice and Other Issues
3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Elizabeth B. Hickman
Goodman Callahan Blackstone, PLLC
Probate practice is becoming an increasingly marketable skill due to the aging population and clients' reliance on competent attorneys and other professionals who can smoothly walk them through the procedures. This session will provide you with some tips on issues that arise in probating an estate.
- Handling small estates
- Opening the estate, administering the estate, closing the estate
- Managing inventory
- Litigating the estate in probate court
- Handling an estate consisting only of real property
- Homestead allowance and elective share
Friday, December 8 (Day 2)
Conservatorships & Guardianships: What Attorneys Need to Know
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Michelle Poss
Law Office of A. Michelle Poss
Ms. Poss will walk you through the essentials of implementing and handling conservatorships and guardianships and will discuss the law on emergency conservatorships in Tennessee.
Tips, Techniques and Things to Watch for in Probate
9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Donald J. Farinato
Hodges, Doughty & Carson PLLC
Should you take that call from an angry beneficiary? Taxes do not matter anymore since the Tennessee inheritance law was repealed, right? How soon should you distribute assets to a beneficiary? This session will explore various topics pertaining to the probate process, and Mr. Farinato will offer suggestions on how to deal with some of the issues often seen in probate.
Morning break
9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Ethics in Estate Planning and Estate Administration
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Steve McDaniel
Williams McDaniel
Attorneys implementing estate plans and administering those plans often face numerous ethical issues, such as joint representation, client confidentiality, client competence, and billing inquiries. This ethics presentation will explore many of the difficult-to-resolve dilemmas faced by trust and estate attorneys.
Tips, Techniques and Things to Watch for in Estate Planning
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Donald J. Farinato
Hodges, Doughty & Carson PLLC
Let Mr. Farinato walk you through some top estate planning techniques you can use to avoid unintended consequences when drafting estate planning documents for your clients. You'll get tips on gifting techniques, drafting wills, designating and protecting beneficiaries, and planning for pensions and IRA assets.
Lunch (included with registration)
12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Handling Estate Administration Tax Issues
1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Patrick B. Mason
Mason Zoccola Law Firm, PLLC
- Examples of forms needed
- Federal and state estate tax considerations
- Income tax issues for the estate and the heirs
- Resolving disputes with taxing authorities
- Deductions and exemptions
- How the generation-skipping transfer tax affects your clients
- Tax deadlines and handling extensions
- Sales of real property
Afternoon break
2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Long-Term Care Advance Planning
2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Glen Kyle
Monica Franklin & Associates, LLC
According to the American Health Care Association, nearly half of all Americans will need long-term care at some point in their lives. In fact, one in five over the age of 50 is at a high risk of needing long-term care within the next 12 months. Let Mr. Kyle give you some tips on helping your clients meet their long-term care needs.
- Durable power of attorney for financial matters
- Health care power of attorney
- Special needs trust
- Advance medical directives
- Living will
- "Do not resuscitate" (DNR) orders and organ donation considerations
- Emergency medical services (EMS)
- Wills and trusts
Charitable Trusts
3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sara McManus
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
A charitable trust is an irrevocable trust which may be set up inter vivos or as a part of a trust or will at death. Let Ms. McManus walk you through the types of charitable trusts and offer you tips on how best to use them to your clients' advantage.
- When are charitable trusts used?
- CRTs vs. CLTs
- Tax planning, requirements and consequences
- Trustee powers/duties and administration issues
- Exceptions to the rules
- Charitable planning in smaller estates
- Sample trust language
Conference Details
Thursday and Friday, December 7-8, 2017
Nashville School of Law
4013 Armory Oaks Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
Free parking and WIFI!
Need directions?
CLE: You'll earn up to 15 hours of CLE (12 hours of general and 3 hours of dual).
$497 - full program
$427 - full program for additional attendees from same firm
$347 - one day only
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The conference begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at 5:00 p.m.
There will be morning and afternoon breaks each day. Lunch is included with your registration!
Need a place to stay in Nashville for the Conference?
Check out these hotels just 10 minutes (and two interstate exits) away from the Nashville School of Law...
Four Points by Sheraton Nashville-Brentwood
CLICK HERE for Reservations
Hilton Brentwood/Nashville Suites
CLICK HERE for Reservations
Hilton Garden Inn Nashville-Brentwood
CLICK HERE for Reservations
Homewood Suites by Hilton
CLICK HERE for Reservations
Hampton Inn Nashville/Brentwood I-65
CLICK HERE for Reservations
Here's what your colleagues said about last year's Probate & Estate Planning Conference for Tennessee Attorneys:
"Great program. I attend each year and recommend this CLE to my colleagues – best CLE for the price anywhere in the state."
"I appreciate getting all my CLE hours in two days and for a reasonable price."
"Loved the speakers and topics, especially the "how tos" and really appreciated the sample forms to take back with me!"
"The topics are all relevant and useful for anyone involved in this practice area. The speakers were all top-notch and did an excellent job."
"This is my fourth year to attend, and it gets better each year. Keep up the good work!"
"Really good materials (especially love the notebook to take back to the office with me), great speakers, and very current information!"


text:
I don't often make cookies, I can never seem to get them just right. I like my cookies chunky with a slight hint of chewiness to them. Every time I have tried making them I've ended up with a thin overly chewy creation, or a thick, short, crumbly biscuit. I just haven't found the perfect formula.
These cookies are pretty darn close to perfection for me, and strangely get even better with age!
The key ingredient in this recipe is Coconut Oil rather than butter. I have been seeing coconut oil popping up all over the place recently, beauty bloggers are raving about its moisturising qualities for both skin and hair, food bloggers are all over it in baking and popcorn making. So when I saw a jar in Holland and Barratt I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about.
The way some people talk about this stuff it sounds like a cure-all for just about everything. I tried it on my hair, it was alright, smelled amazing but I didn't notice a massive change in texture or shine. I tried it on my body... again it was nice, smelled amazing, made things feel softer.
By far my favourite use for it so far has been these cookies, I reserve the right to change my mind when I try the popcorn though.
If you've got a great coconut oil recipe, please share it in the comments!
The coconut oil has a wonderful subtle coconut flavour which in addition to the desiccated coconut really makes this recipe special. I used three types of chocolate in my cookies but it would totally work with just one, its very adaptable.
- 125g Dark Chocolate
- 135g Plain Flour
- 15g Desiccated Coconut
- 30g Cocoa Powder
- 1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
- half a teaspoon Salt
- 125g Coconut Oil
- 75g Light Muscavado Sugar
- 50g Caster Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Large Egg
- 200g Chopped White and Milk Chocolate (or you can use chips if you prefer)
Now, if you'll excuse me I am off to dunk one of these bad boys into a cup of tea while I plan my Christmas menu for this year. I am totally not on the ball with Christmas food planning, so if you have any inspiration or advice please share it!
Also, I have it on good authority that Santa loves coconut, so these would be the perfect cookie to leave out on December 24th. Just saying.


text:
Lounsbury House, a Ridgefield landmark since 1896, is the place to celebrate life's memorable milestones. Since becoming the town's community center 60 years ago, the house and classic gardens have served as a venue for art shows, food fairs and events for everyone in the surrounding area.
We are committed to preserving and promoting the historical significance of Lounsbury House for the use and benefit of all, now and in the future.
Our aim is to make the planning of your special day a stress free experience. From the "will you" to the "I will" we are with you all the way.
There is always something happening at Lounsbury House. View our upcoming events that are open to the public by visiting our events page. We look forward to seeing you!


text:
Cigna Diversity
Cigna is a global company—our 35,000 people represent different cultures, beliefs and values. We take an active, affirmative approach to making sure every one of our people develops an appreciation for individual and collective experiences, different ways of thinking and diverse communication styles. This approach is also more than a cultural diversity program; it's part of who we are.
We believe this type of environment encourages a truly healthy workplace that improves the well-being of everyone whose life we touch around the globe, including:
Our Workforce
We're committed to strengthening the demographic composition of our team and enhancing job satisfaction at all levels.
Our Customers
We're committed to meeting the specific individual and cultural needs of everyone we serve.
Our Partners
We're committed to broadening the cultural scope of the suppliers, physicians and health care professionals we engage.
Our Communities
We're committed to targeting our investments, philanthropy, volunteerism and professional associations to benefit entire communities, including the previously underserved.
To support our communities, we partner with a diverse array of organizations, including:
- National Forum for Black Public Administrators
- Gay & Lesbian Medical Association
- National Association of Hispanic MBAs
We have four teams to help develop a healthy workplace so we continue to meet these commitments:
- Enterprise Leadership Council—Senior executives meet quarterly to ensure workplace programs reflect global, cultural and business goals.
- Advisory Steering Committee—Leaders from Cigna's global and HR teams meet bi-monthly to advise on global policies and business integration.
- Business Leadership Councils—A balanced team of employees, managers and senior leaders meet bi-monthly to set workplace diversity objectives for functional units and business segments.
- Colleague Resource Groups—Employees meet regularly to discuss "ground level" concerns of specific demographics, such as women, LGBT individuals, and young adults.


text:
From our host patiently waiting at the train station for over an hour due to mechanical delays to tasting wines overlooking rome, the pasta making class was incredible. Our highlight of Italy, easily the most fun we had. The meal served with our homemade pasta was the single best meal in my life. Fantastic across the board. An absolute must do for anyone coming to italy!
reviewed by Samuel H | Nov 2017
This was hands down our favorite experience in Italy. Every member of the family was genuinely kind, welcoming, funny and passionate about what they do at their "castel". The pasta making was challenging but well instructed, and the wine was out of this world. Wonderful presentation, thoughtful additions, and a finale of being serenaded by the chef all made for an unforgettable experience that we will always cherish!
I was nervous doing this, but blew any and all expectations out of the water! So easy to hop on the train and experience the beautiful town of Frascati. The family and crew were so kind and welcoming to their farmhouse. The cooking class was so fun. We were taught by the Price of France's former personal cook. Super funny guy and great singer! Used utensils that the average person has at home, which was a blessing to not have to buy stuff.
We had the best day on the Minardi vineyard!!! Perfectly organised from start to finish, with incredibly friendly and welcoming hosts. The pasta class was great fun and very successful all round - with a great touch to have a professional chef to teach us. After a lovely tour of the vineyard we sat down to an absolutely wonderful meal, with plenty of delicious wine from the vineyard, and the pasta which we prepared ourselves. Thank you so much to everyone who made our day so wonderful, this was certainly the highlight of our trip to Rome, and would recommend the day to anyone. If you are thinking about booking - do it! You won't regret it!!
This was an incredible experience, thanks to Cookly and the Minardi vineyard for a fantastic day! We learned how to make 2 types of pasta and had demos of several others (by a former chef from the Italian Embassy in France, no less!). We then had a tour of the vineyard and ancient cellar. Finally we ate (all) our pasta and drank lots of wine, all whilst being entertained on the piano by a member of the Minardi family with the chef singing! Exceptional wine (we bought 4 bottles), fantastic atmosphere, incredible teaching and a very friendly bunch of people. It was definitely one of the highlights of our holiday. Now we are looking forward to going home and making our own pasta!
alot of fun, not only eating but alot of other activities had alot of fun
The atmosphere of the winery was so friendly and inviting. We made a mistake with our transportation and the employees were so helpful. The food was amazing and the wine was better. It felt as if we were invited into their home and had a lunch party, there was no hesitation or awkwardness from the employees. Would do this again in a heartbeat!!
From the ease of booking, to the detailed description of how to get there and the personable and informative class - this was TOP NOTCH!! Jo, our guide was amazing and Chef Luigi was fantastic...I can not recommend this experience enough!
The winery tour and pasta cooking class was by far one of the highlights of our trip. My boyfriend and I had the best time, we were picked up from the train station from a wonderfully friendly woman who told us about the town and immediately broke the ice. The family run vineyard was so beautiful. The cooking class was super fun and they accommodated to our vegan eating requirements. The wine was also some of the best wine we've ever had! Highly recommend going!
We think our experience of the cooking pasta class may be the highlight of our entire trip. To be in your Minardi vineyard and have a tour combined with the pasta making and sharing what we made with out group was very special! Try to always end the tour as you did for us with your talented chef singing in Italian and accompanied by Alfredo on the piano. You people run a brilliant event not to be missed. Thank you from Genny and Russ
Loved every moment. The entire staff made me feel welcome and like their friend. The best part of my trip to Rome!
Amazing class. Was interactive, the people were so nice and inviting, and leaning about the ancient winery was superb !! Would love to live in Italy and just go there all the time to grab a glass of wine and relax. Would totally recommend for anybody that has a day in their Rome travels.
The people who run Minardi Winery in Frascati truly do am exceptional job. The ticket price is worth it. They delivered on a quality cooking lesson, a lovely tour of their vineyard, LOTS of food and antipasti, the wine pours were generous, and the cost of purchasing their wine and olive was very reasonable. I just adored the experience, they're such entertainers. The pace of the whole experience was perfect the whole time, not standing around idly. They kept things moving and kept our attention with stories and lots of music and singing. Please go if you have the chance!
I have experienced many historical sites during my trip to Italy, but the Cook class was very special, interesting and interesting. That day was my birthday, and I want to thank the staff that I have specially prepared for. I felt true to them. Thank you very much. ^^
This was the highlight of our trip to Rome, pasta and wine, what could be better? They treat you like family and provide an amazing experience with plenty of wine! We enjoyed every second!
The pasta-making class was definitely a highlight of my week-long trip in Italy. Everyone was extremely friendly and you could tell the family loves what they do. From the pasta-making to the wine-tasting to the Italian-singing serenading Chef Luigi, this day is a must if you're looking to get out of Rome to explore the country-side. If I ever find myself in this part of the country again, which I hope to, I think I might just take this class again.
This is a must do! Out of my 8 days in Rome & Florence, this was the best day!!! The family is so kind, the tour guide is friendly and informative,... highlight for sure!!!!
Everybody was so friendly and made the whole experience fun. We did it as part of my sisters hen do and she loved it. Beautiful place, beautiful people, great time. Would definitely do it all over again.
It was such a wonderful day. We really enjoyed the whole day. It was lovely. Food, wine and lots of nice people.
The whole experience was top notch. The food and wine were delicious and the people were so friendly! We loved it all so much!!
It was great, activities timely, hostess friendly, assisting when necessary, service, location, food, and wine were all good. I was with my daughters and the other 2 groups communicated openly. The final icing on the top was the chef singing. I would recommend this tour to everyone.
The class was amazing from beginning to end. The train ride to Frascati was short and comfortable. Upon arrival, we met our tour guide (Jo, she was THE BEST). She took us on a short tour of Frascati and we headed to the winery. Here we had a lovely tour of the winery with the owner. The place has some amazing history and is truly beautiful. The cooking class was so much fun! The chef was so talented and charming. After he taught us to make two different types of pasta, he cooked it for us and it turned out to be the most amazing meal I had in Italy. Or maybe ever. Also included is generous tastings of their wines and lovely aperitives! I am so glad we did this class, it was by far our favorite experience while traveling.
Classic Italian experience! I personally love pasta and this class did not disappoint. We had a local market tour, the people, they were so warm and charismatic. The tour was insightful, it felt like we were travelling back to the past and enjoying every moment. The culture and the tradition was very well preserved in this class. We were able to try 2 different kinds of pasta, different types of breads and delicious appetizers. The wine pairings were magnificent! Just spot on. I would definitely recommend and hope to do it again on another trip to Rome!
True Italian portions. We were able to try 2 different kinds of pasta, different types of breads and deliscious appetizers. The wine that came before lunch and during lunch was smooth and paired wonderfully with the food, the glasses were refilled generously and we even got to try some of the pizza the other half of the class had made. It was such a wonderful experience with the Minardi family and the other guests that were part of the group. I would definitely recommend and hope to do it again on another trip to Rome!
From start to finish, it was delightful. Jo was very knowledgeable and a blast to have guide us through town and share the history of Frascati. Alfredo and Umberto proudly portrayed what a family business is all about. Luigi was super patient with my lack of pasta making skills, and the other staff made us smile. And the food and wine were outstanding-the best of my trip. Thank you for a wonderful memory of Italy! I hope to be back very soon.
Meeting Fredo, Jo and Luigi at the Minardi Winery was the highlight of our trip to Rome so far. It's a gorgeous location, we met wonderful people and had fun while we learned to make ravioli and fettuccini. I HIGHLY recommend this cooking class/tour!
Great day with my wife in the roman countryside. Highly recommended!
We cannot say one bad thing about this experience. Jo was absolutely PHENOMENAL. the experience was so authentic and everyone was so welcoming and of course the food was EXCELLENT. We loved this experience so much we are considering buying a home in Frascati. Thank you for this wonderful start to our trip!
What an outstanding day! My cooking class and visit to Frascati was amazing from the get-go. I cannot thank Alfredo and his family, Luigi and Jo enough for all of the hard work and passion that goes into everything they do. The pasta making was simple and authentic, and the end result was delicious. We tried a few of the local wines and they paired with our food so well, I even got a bottle to bring home. Jo is the hostess with the mostest, encouraging you during your cooking and she really does bring so much life into what she does. After two weeks on holiday in Italy I can say that my day in Frascati was my favourite.
Absolutely amazing experience, the best part of visiting Rome. Nico and Eduardo were excellent guides. We'd recommend this to anyone.
The class was amazing! The food and wine was delicious. Everyone who hosted/taught the class were so fun and nice! Probably one of my favorite experiences in Rome. Would for sure do it again.
It was such an amazing day. The food was amazing the wine was delicious. It was easy to go to and they picked us up from the train station. The class was only three people. And again the food and wine was so so so great.
My brother and I loved this class. There were only 4 of us so we learned a lot. We learned two types of pasta and the other group learned pizza. The antipasta that we were given before eating the pasta was delicious. The wine was fantastic.
Had a delightful time with Josephine. It was beautiful to get out into the country and meet local people.
Our experience at the Roman Countryside Winery Tour and Pasta Making Class was absolutely fantastic. The man in charge (Alfredo), the chef (Luigi) and the tour guide (Nico) were all extremely friendly and made our visit one to remember. Their passion for their town, food, and wine was contagious. All of the food and wine was delicious. It was an authentic Italian experience! We will definitely recommend this class to others!
Really friendly fun cookery class. My second time taking visitors to the class. Great day out from Rome set in the family vineyard, you actually feel like a friend visiting rather than a client. The cookery class is really fun and informative and then followed by the lunch and wine tasting which is fantastic.
This was one of the highlights of our whole trip. Only 25 minutes on the train out of Rome and you feel like you're a world away. Sipping wine in the country side, and eating the most amazing pasta. Our tour guide was so lovely, she was very informative & interperates everything for you. (And a very funny lady!) Our group was only 6 people which we really enjoyed.. The cooking class was so much fun and the chef/teacher was great! Would go back again.. the town of Frascati is so lovely. We had some drinks before the train trip home at a little bar near the station.
I love getting out of Rome for the day and seeing the beautiful countryside of Frascati. Our guide Jo was terrific! The Minardi vineyard was beautiful with so much history and obvious passion for food and wine! Highly recommend this tour and experience!
We were picked up at the train station by Jo (Josephine) and immediately felt welcomed . Jo gave us a tour Frascati, her home town. Her knowledge and passion made the experience so much more vibrant and enjoyable . We then went to the winery and was greeted by Luigi , the Chef to make amazing pasta . We then meet family who ran the winery and took a tour . The hospitality throughout this experience was amazing .
We were unfortunately arrived late because of flight delays and traffic, but we eventually made it. Francesca was wonderful and her recipes are ones that we are excited to make again! The food was amazing. She is also a sommelier and paired wonderful wines with the meal! I would definitely recommend to everyone.
The highlight of this experience was the pasta making and then eating our creations! Now that I'm home, I realize I should have asked for the sauce recipes for the two kinds of pasta we made though (Luigi is obviously a rockstar chef). There were only four people in our group, which was appreciated! I think a lot of the winery tour information got lost in translation for us. As wine lovers from California, we were really looking forward to that part. My only two, very small suggestions would be to provide recipe cards at the end so we can take them home and maybe structure the winery tour part a little more. The day was amazing though, we loved it!
Josephine and Alfredo were the most wonderful hosts! We were transported to small town Italy within striking distance of Rome. The town tour was perfect, making pasta was so fun and educational and the place we did it was so atmospheric. Everyone we met from Mr. Minardi to our pasta teacher to the dogs were friendly and welcoming. The food and wine were also delicious. One of us had a birthday and they found some candles to put in a tiramisu. This was our favorite day of a week in Italy. We even spontaneously sang and played piano at the wine tasting. Thanks guys!!
I would highly recommend this cooking experience and winery tour to EVERYONE! Jo (Josephine), our instructor was very personable, really fun, engaging, and helpful! I learned a lot during the pasta making and then we went to the family winery where we had a tour with Alfredo and his father. The tour was good but the wine tasting was even better! We've been to wine tasting in the US... this was not like those! They served us glasses of wine, snacks, delicious olive oil and then we went back to the restaurant and ate an amazing spread of antipasta, and our pasta creations! It was delicious, easy to get to and WELL worth the money! So much fun! Thank you for an incredible experience Jo and Alfredo! Your hospitality was amazing and so appreciated!!!! <3 <3
What a nice day! Lovely to see frascati. Then make the pasta and Walk through the Lovely frascati wine garden. Very nice tasting there with nice bites. Compliments for the combinations. After it the lovely lunch with wine again. Great day with great people!
Great, intimate experience in the country side of Rome. Would highly recommend to all.
This day was so incredible and I would highly recommend for anyone to do this. The pasta class was fun and informative but the best part was eating it later! best sauces I've ever had. Everyone we met was so lovely and the Minardi family are very welcoming. Every wine you have is delightful! Thank you for a wonderful day.
An amazing family and tour. Priceless experience. Get way more than what is paid for. Highlight of the trip.
My wife and I decided to get out of the city to explore the surrounding area -- we didn't expect Frascati to be so wonderful! It's a quaint town and with Max/Alfredo to show us around, we couldn't have asked for a better time. The pasta was fun to make, the vineyard was magical as was the wine tour/tasting, and finally dining on the very pasta we made was so satisfying. All in all, we highly recommend this experience if you are able to!
The Minardi winery tour and pasta class was a highlight of our Rome vacation! The pasta class was very enjoyable, with both learning and fun. Connections to Frascati were exactly as described on the web, in a comfortable quick train from Termini station. We were met by Jo, who is an excellent local guide as well as instructor. Jo shared local history of this lovely hill town as our group of six walked to the restaurant. Jo's co-teacher was a pasta pro, an Italian grandma who is hands on yet encouraging. After the fettuccine preparation was completed we had a short walk about Frascati, then driven five minutes to the Minardi winery. The family has made wines here for nine generations. We were shown the vineyard by the family patriarch and his son, the current vintner. After an overview of the growing techniques, they shared their home's sweeping views then the homes' old cellars and historic equipment before tasting the current vintages with antipasti. A very beautiful and educational day ending back at the restaurant to enjoy the pasta we made for lunch! A short walk back to the train for the return ride to Rome. A great day of Italian culture we'd never have experienced otherwise!
The class was amazing, couldn't recommend it any more. If your on the fence book now!
When in Rome, my husband and I decided to take a pasta making class with a wine tour in the nearby town of Frascati. It was one of the best experiences of our trip! We took the train from Temini Station to Frascati - an easy 25 minute journey. Once we got off, we met Jo, or tour guide, who, as someone educated in the UK, spoke perfect English yet knew every nook and cranny of the town, including every person we passed! She told us stories about the town as we walked through and even bought us some local delicacies (porchetta sandwiches and wine made in the 'old way'). After walking through town, we went to a small restaurant where we were taught to make pasta and gnocchi. Our instructor, Emry, had tons of patience with us and managed to teach us how to make pasta even with a language barrier. We made pasta dough from scratch and were given gnocchi dough to work with (since it takes significantly longer to make gnocchi). After the class, we we were picked up by Alfredo from the Minardi Winery. Alfredo, a ninth-generation winemaker, gave us a personal tour through the winery - land his family has been on for over 500 years. We had a wine tasting of some amazing Minardi wines paired with local food sitting outside on the patio overlooking the wine valley below. Once we finished the tasting, we were taken back to the restaurant where the chef had made our pasta into delicious meals - gnocchi with asparagus in a cream sauce and fettuccine in a red sauce. We were also given more wine from the Minardi winery, a spread of cured meats and cheeses, and honey-ricotta spread. At the end of the day, we wandered through Frascati on our own and then took the train back to Rome (it runs once an hour). It was a great day outside the hustle-and-bustle of Rome. We loved seeing a different perspective of Italian life as we walked through this old village, and would highly recommend this tour to anyone else going to Rome!
Good instruktions on pastamaking . The day was well organized - at nice tour in the town and on the wineyard
The chef is very good and very professional, however you only prepare the raw pasta, and we would have liked to prepare the sauce that goes with it and have a full culinary experience. The wine tour was a blast
Such bang for your buck!! This was hands down the highlight of my trip to Rome. You get off the train, and your guide greets you immediately. They take you around town and give you interesting facts and history on Frascoti. Then you go to some local shops to try local bread, wine, and meat. Then you're off to a local restaurant to make pasta (easy and fun -- but I'll never take boxed pasta for granted ever again!) Next you get a tour of the Manardi winery -- you'll meet members of the Manardi family who are all so kind and love showing you around their property. You taste their different wines, eat great bread, and have quality conversations about Italy with the guide / family. Then you get to go back to the restaurant to enjoy your pasta! It was so great being able to see the Roman country side! Definitely added a lot to my stay. 100% would recommend.
I couldn't have asked for a better day in Rome with my friends. We spent a wonderful day with Alfredo and his dad at this winery. We felt a very warm welcome from the family. We first met Alfredo at the train station. We had a blast making fresh pasta and gnocchi. We tasted 3 wines and had super delicious cheeses, meats, bread and cookies. Once our wine tour was complete we were taken back to the tavern to dine with the pasta we had made. Such a wonderful day which I would highly recommend.