top of page
Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures
HOLIDAY DOUBLE-HEADER: Brilliant 'Berlin'; Hornblower hooray
Hershey Felder channels the great Irving Berlin at La Jolla Playhouse, in a spirited, fast-paced and engaging program. It's set in...
Christene Meyers
Dec 24, 20153 min read
Berlin is back: Hershey Felder plays beloved composer with flair, feeling
Hershey Felder received a well deserved standing ovation opening night of his joyful homage to composer Irving Berlin. STORY By CHRISTENE...
Christene Meyers
Dec 17, 20151 min read
Try these theatrical treats to fill your San Diego stocking
TOAST THE HOLIDAYS WITH A PLAY! "A Christmas Carol" at Cygnet means new music and an "reimagined"telling of the holiday classic, adapted...
Christene Meyers
Nov 24, 20153 min read
Family reunion features foodie fest, favorite recipes, kitchen frolics***
"Food, glorious food," as the lyric from "Oliver!" goes. The appetizers are being devoured as the main course is prepared. FOOD GLORIOUS...
Christene Meyers
Sep 14, 20154 min read
Colorful 'Tradgards Festen' blossoms today through Sunday in Helsingborg, Sweden
Sofiero Palace and Gardens in Helsingborg, Sweden, opens its gates for a three-day festival. Vendors set up late Thursday. Dahlias the...
Christene Meyers
Aug 27, 20153 min read
Dedicated doctor, sax player merges music, medicine to help Hardin, Montana, enterprises
PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCCESS: PLAY, WORK COMBINE TO KEEP FAMILY DOCTOR TUNED UP AND BLOWING HIS HORN FOR HIS TOWN Dr. Robert Whiting tells...
Christene Meyers
Jul 16, 20153 min read
Volunteers save historic building for its history, beauty and functionality
NEARING A CENTURY OLD, COBBLESTONE SCHOOL SHOWS 'CAN DO' SPIRIT IN SMALL MONTANA TOWN The historic Cobblestone School is nearing a proud...
Christene Meyers
May 22, 20153 min read
Tada: 'Top Ten' lifetime performances on Cookie's hit parade
Bette Midler makes the "Tops" list with her effervescent energy and expressive voice. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER...
Christene Meyers
Apr 27, 20153 min read
Gaga, Bennett duo dazzle in fabulous New Year's Eve Vegas show
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga deliver wondrous performance TOP LIFETIME SHOWS LINGER IN ARTS REVIEWER'S HEART, AS SHE SHAMELESSLY GOES GAGA ...
Christene Meyers
Apr 23, 20154 min read
Two Cunard Queens meet, take a bow in Long Beach
HISTORIC MEETING AS QUEEN MARY WELCOMES HER 'NIECE,' QUEEN ELIZABETH Cunard's majestic Queen Elizabeth sailed into Long Beach Harbor and spent the day, next to the venerable Queen Mary. The Queen Mary has been retired from the seas since 1967 but still draws a million and one-half visitors annually. STORY BY CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IT WAS A GLORIOUS meeting! Two queens -- one elderly, the other a fairly new kid on the royal block -- were side by side for a d
Christene Meyers
Feb 17, 20154 min read
Maori people welcome travelers with art, stories, beautiful landscape
Cookie hamming it up with temp Maori tattoo SLICE OF MAORI LIFEREMAINS WITH TRAVELERSIN MEMORIES OF GENTLEPEOPLE, HOMEMADE GOODIESAND BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN Okains Bay encourages families to live there, providing cheap lodging in exchange for children learning the Maori language. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER We left historic Akaroa, founded in 1840 by the French, for a 50-mile plus drive. We were met by a group of school children who welcomed us with song and
Christene Meyers
Feb 6, 20152 min read
Maori people - treasured time in a cultural bubble
Expressive hands of a Maori elder welcome visitors and enhance a story in a village on a Waimaramamaori.com tour. Our guide, Denise, ponders a question in a pensive and reflective moment before a musical show. TRAVELERS LEARN OF ANCIENT CULTURE, ENJOY MUSIC, GAMES, TATTOOS, ART, TALES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER THE MAORI people are a proud and noble race, descending from warriors, farmers, healers, astronomers and explorers. The people go back as f
Christene Meyers
Feb 3, 20152 min read
Sample Sydney's glories from a ringside 'Magistic' cruise seat
Magistic Cruises' sleek catamaran glides past iconic sights of Sydney. FABULOUS FOOD IN A GLORIOUS VENUE, PLUS TOP TALENT, VIEWS Artfully prepared salads and side dishes await diners, with beautiful appetizers, main course entrees and decadent desserts as well. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER GLORIOUS FOOD , fine champagne, terrific entertainment, and, of yes, the views. You're gliding through the water in a quiet boat. You're in luxury's lap, enjoying v
Christene Meyers
Jan 23, 20153 min read
'Gunmetal Blues' is stylish, campy fun film noir parody
NEW MUSICAL AT NORTH COAST REP HAS FLAIR, FUN, FABULOUS MUSIC Kevin Bailey is perfect as the Private Eye, the tough talking, hard...
Christene Meyers
Jan 20, 20153 min read
Sydney Opera House - controversial project sails proudly into architectural prime time
DANISH ARCHITECT UTZON'S VISIONARY BUILDING IS A TRUE MASTERPIECE Tourists from around the globe tour Sydney Opera House, enjoy tastings and see plays, dance and concerts in many venues. After the tour, enjoy dumplings, oysters, shrimp; Below, the "sails" from under them. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IT RANKS with the architectural wonders of the world. The Sydney Opera House is like no other building. Famous for its gorgeous shells -- resembling the sh
Christene Meyers
Jan 16, 20153 min read
Fairy godmother's passing means an era's end: long live 'Hannamama'
AUF WIEDERSEHEN TO A BELOVED ICON: ACTOR, WRITER, CAT LOVER, GOURMET, GARDENER, TRANSLATOR, TRAVELER "The sun will rise and the moon...
Christene Meyers
Jan 6, 20155 min read
Versatile musician jazzes up the San Diego music scene
MINSTREL, TEACHER PLAYS ENGAGING RANGE OF STYLES, PERIODS Greatly gifted Josiah Diallo plays and teaches in the San Diego area. STORY By...
Christene Meyers
Dec 26, 20142 min read
The many incarnations of Annie Oakley -- what a cast of different dames
CLICK HERE to buy Lilian's Last Dance a new e-Book on Amazon British born Emma Williams played a sultry, fun Annie Oakley. 'LILIAN'S...
Christene Meyers
Dec 12, 20144 min read
mixed story...Lillian - Cygnet Theatre:
Cygnet Theater in Old Town is a fantastic night out, with a stop at nearby Hacienda de las Rosas Winery before or after. 'A CHRISTMAS...
Christene Meyers
Dec 2, 20143 min read
Hooray for Hollywood! Studios provide feel for film, fodder for book in Los Angeles visits
ON THE TRAIL OF MOVIE LORE, WRITERS HEAD FOR HOLLYWOOD As Cookie got her novel-writing groove back, she and Keller took to the road,...
Christene Meyers
Nov 28, 20144 min read
bottom of page