Your weekly Sunday dinner is coming and it’s time to prepare that menu.  But it never seems like there’s enough time to get it all done.  That’s why using your slow cooker to help prepare your Sunday family dinner can be smart, quick and economical.  Here are some great recipes to try this Sunday:

Leg of Lamb with Rosemary and Lemon

What you’ll need:

• 3 lbs. whole leg of lamb
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp. prepared Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp. dried rosemary
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice (1 lemon, juiced)

Use a 4-quart slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine honey, Dijon, the spices, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir with a spoon to form a paste. Smear this paste on all sides of the lamb roast. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for 4-5. (image)

Slow Cooker Maple Ham

What you’ll need:

• 7-8 lb. bone-in spiral-cut ham
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all natural maple syrup
• 2 cups pineapple juice

Use a 6-7 quart slow cooker. Unwrap the ham, and discard flavor packet. Place it into your stoneware, flat-side down. Rub brown sugar on all sides. Pour on maple syrup and pineapple juice. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Baste the ham with collected juice from the bottom of the crock an hour or so before serving. When cooking is done, remove carefully and let it rest on a cutting board for 15-20 minutes before carving.

Crockpot Garlic Smashed Potatoes

What you’ll need:

• 3 lb. small red potatoes
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 cup cream cheese with onions and chives, softened
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream

Halve or quarter potatoes to make pieces about the same size. Place potatoes in a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Add garlic, onion, oil, salt, pepper, and water and mix to coat. Cover crockpot and cook on high for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours until potatoes are tender.

Mash potatoes roughly with a fork or potato masher. Stir in cream cheese and butter until mixed, then add enough milk or cream for desired consistency. You can serve this right away, or cover and hold it in the slow cooker up to 2 hours on low.

Beef Pot Roast with Thyme

Full recipe here.

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Season roast with salt and pepper.
2. Place half of potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic on bottom of slow cooker. Place roast on top of vegetables.
3. Add remaining vegetables. Spread around roast.
4. Pour broth over roast and vegetables.
5. Sprinkle with onion soup mix.
6. Top with fresh thyme sprigs.
7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8 hours or until internal temperature reaches at least 160°F for medium doneness.

Serves: 12

Nutritional Information:  (Based on Individual Serving: 8 oz.)
• Calories: 350 • Total Fat: 16g • Saturated: 6g • Cholesterol: 95mg • Sodium: 500mg • Carbohydrates: 16g • Dietary Fiber: 2g • Sugars: 3g • Protein: 33g (image)

Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar and Pineapple

What you’ll need:

• 1 6-9 lb. ham
• 1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple in unsweetened juice, or 2 cups of pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup packed, light brown sugar

Place the ham in slow cooker cut side down. Pour the can of crushed pineapple over it along with the brown sugar. Cook covered for about 3-4 hours on high, or 5-6 hours on low.

After the ham is cooked, pour off the pineapple mixture into a sauce pan and allow it to set until the fat separates and rises to the top.  Skim off the fat and discard.  Bring the mixture to boil, reduce to simmer until the mixture is reduced and has thickened.  Serve alongside the ham.

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

What you’ll need:

• 12 med. potatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper

Peel and chop or slice potatoes. Cook in water to cover for 3 minutes; drain. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Spoon into your slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours.

More slow cooker recipes can be found at our partner site, Hamilton Beach.

If you haven’t cooked fresh okra before, it’s easy. This unusual Southern favorite tastes mildly like asparagus and is an essential ingredient for making gumbo. It’s a new vegetable kids like to crunch. Substitute a pound of peeled shrimp and a can of crabmeat for the chicken and sausage, if you like. Use frozen okra when fresh is not available.

• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 1 sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 lb. boneless chicken breast, cut in bite-sized chunks
• ½ lb. chicken or pork sausage, sliced or crumbled
• 1 28-oz. can tomatoes in juice or puree
• 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme or ¾ tsp. dried leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• ¼ to ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
• Salt, optional
• ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
• 1 lb. fresh or 1 10-oz. box frozen cut okra

Some people shy away from okra because of its mucilaginous juice.  Of several methods, what follows is the best preventative against a slimy texture. Wash and remove stem ends and any dry tips. Pat dry and cut in ½ inch slices. Heat an ungreased skillet over medium heat. Add okra slices in a single layer and cook one minute on each side, turning with a wooden spoon. Dry-fry your okra while you are preparing the rest of the dish or up to an hour ahead of time, setting cooked okra aside at room temperature on paper towels.

More great recipes from Hamilton Beach

Warm olive oil in a dutch-oven or large heavy-bottomed skillet.  Saute onions and peppers until lightly browned on the edges. Add garlic and cook for one more minute. Put vegetables in a bowl and add the 2^nd tablespoon of oil to the pan. Saute chicken chunks and sausage slices till lightly browned on all sides. Replace vegetables and add tomatoes and their liquid, thyme, bay leaf and red pepper flakes.  Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, adding wine or chicken broth as needed to keep mixture from becoming dry.  Remove bay leaf and add okra. Simmer for an additional 5 to 10  minutes, so that okra stays tender-crisp. Serve accompanied by or ladled over white rice.

For a quick seafood gumbo, omit the 2^nd tablespoon of oil. Prepare vegetables with tomatoes and seasonings. Simmer covered 15 minutes. Place raw peeled shrimp, crabmeat and okra on top of sauce, cover and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Stir all ingredients together before serving.

1- Painful Joints are Inevitable

It does no good to run angry, my friend.

Painful, creaky joints are actually the result of not exercising enough and not an unavoidable aspect of aging.   One study followed women between the ages of 40 to 67.  Researchers found that the women that exercised regularly for at least 20 minutes maintained more cartilage in their knee joints.  This study suggests that exercise may reduce the likelihood of developing one of the most common complaints of aging: arthritis.

2- Everyone Develops Osteoporosis

The truth is only approximately 9 percent of older adults in America have Osteoporosis.  While still far too common, osteoporosis is also preventable.  Once again, exercise may be one of the most important answers to combating this disease.  Bone mass can be increased by performing strength training activities and increasing your intake of calcium and vitamin D.

3- Seniors Lose Their Libido

This guy is getting tons of action from the kissing bandit.

The fact is that most healthy seniors don’t even see a decline in libido until they reach the age of 75.  Even after this age, many seniors find physical and sexual experiences to be an important part of their lives.  In fact, one study indicated that most seniors would prefer more of these experiences in their everyday lives not less.

4- Your Brain Shrinks as You Age

This myth actually began when a study was released in 2002 showing that the part of the brain that is responsible for memory is much smaller in seniors.  While the myth lives on, further research has found that stress is the culprit, not age.  Brain scans have shown similar brain shrinkage in even much younger adults.

5- Loneliness and Depression Are a Normal Part of Aging

We’re still alive! Thumbs Up!

Actually, 71 percent of adults over the age of 100 say they are happy.  This is actually an improvement over happiness levels reported by younger adults.  While loneliness and isolation can definitely impact how seniors feel, there is much that can be done to combat these problems.  Volunteering, staying active, trying new things, and staying connected to family all lead to greater feelings of happiness and fulfillment for seniors.

6- Everyone Loses Their Memory as They Age

The truth is that as many as 80 percent of seniors are healthy and competent enough to maintain their normal, daily activities.  In some cases, however, physical conditions are misinterpreted so that older people are assumed to understand and reason less competently than they are actually able.

7- Seniors Can’t Learn New Ideas or Skills

Grandma learns how to wear a hipster scarf.

The old saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is absolutely false.  Seniors may not learn quite as quickly as they used to, but they are absolutely able to learn and grow as they continue to age.  Many seniors pick up new hobbies and learn new skills quite successfully adding enriching new opportunities to their lives.

8- All Seniors Wear Dentures

With improvements in dental care, more and more seniors are able to keep their teeth.  Even if problems do arise, new dental procedures are now available to help seniors keep their natural teeth while improving their smiles.  Dental implants and other procedures have helped many older adults retain their confidence and avoid the many hassles of wearing dentures.

9- Most Elderly Live In Nursing Homes

Sipping from the same glass saves on our social security.

In actuality, only between 5 to 7 percent of older Americans live in nursing homes.  Many seniors live quite happily and successfully on their own.  For those that do need some help, however, there have never been as many resources available to seniors who need assistance while maintaining their independence.

10- Once you are Over 60, it’s too late To Change

No matter your age, even small changes made to improve your health can be beneficial.  Getting regular exercise and eating healthy can help both the young and old alike feel better and enjoy improved vitality.  Some of the big changes, like stopping smoking, may be even more helpful.  One study concluded that even older smokers who quit can enjoy a longer and healthier life.

Don’t let common myths about aging fool you.  Many people find that they enjoy greater levels of personal satisfaction in their lives during their senior years than ever before.  The key is to look to the future with optimism and enthusiasm and create your own unique and personal experiences free from fear and misconceptions about aging.

Make a retirement checklist

I have found it extremely helpful to organize my thoughts into a retirement checklist.  While your mind may be cluttered with all of the things that you want to accomplish while you’re retired, writing them down in checklist form can help you to remember them more easily.

Financial planners recommend starting your checklist five years before you plan on retiring.  This will help you to become more financially prepared and organize your business before your retirement date approaches.  You’ll be amazed at how much a little financial planning can help your circumstances.

Make Life Plans

You can include these in your checklist if you wish.  Life plans are important, and give us something to look forward to.  Maybe you always wanted to scuba dive in New Zealand or spend the holidays in Austria but never had the time before.  Now that your schedule is wide open, you can plan your trip around the world.  Some people refer to it as the ‘bucket list’; however, it is simply a list of your life’s wishes that you still need to fulfill.

Keep Your Mind Sharp

The saying ‘use it or lose it’ applies to those who no longer have to worry about working every day.  Although retirement translates to a break from intellectual stimulation for some people, others are quite the opposite.  Now you have the time to write your memoirs, challenge yourself in your favorite logic puzzles, or learn a foreign language.  Stimulating our brains by learning new material is essential.  Here are a few ways that you can reinvent your intellectual side.

• Take a class at the local community college.
• Learn to play a new musical instrument.
• Research a new country and then visit it.
• Join a book club.

Volunteer

Serving others and giving back to the community is such an important aspect of life; however, many are simply too busy with their jobs and families to have the time to volunteer.  When I retired, I was excited to be able to spend time volunteering at the local hospital, something I’ve always wanted to do.  Whether you go to the local food bank, hospital, or school, people will be grateful to receive your gracious help.

Develop New Friendships

If you didn’t have a strong social network before, now is the time that you can rebuild relationships, or seek out new ones.  Having strong bonds with family and friends during your senior years is vital to your health.  You can easily meet new people by becoming involved in the community senior center, or by moving to a retirement community.  During retirement, we can use our time to contact old friends, and reignite a lost friendship.  Don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people.

Stabilize Your Finances

Unfortunately, the current economy has made it hard for many seniors to enter into full retirement.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your senior years, while still working part-time.  Talk to a financial planner about organizing your Medicare and life insurance policies.  See how much money you are bringing in each month, and what expenses you have going out.  Then determine how many hours you need to work in order to make ends meet.  You may even want to save up for that fishing trip or cruise that you’ve wanted to take.  You can easily find an amazing part-time job that interests you.

Keep Your Spirits Up

It’s not uncommon for seniors to become depressed during the transitions between employed and retired.  They may lose a sense of purpose and direction in their lives.  The changes in life that occur can be a challenge; however, a positive attitude will determine whether or not you’ll find happiness in life.  If you can’t seem to come out of your depressive mood, seek the assistance of a professional counselor or psychologist.

Stay Healthy

Plenty of exercise and eating healthy will make you feel better, mentally and physically.  I was determined to stay healthy after retiring.  Find an activity that you are passionate about.  Running, tennis, swimming, biking, and hiking are some favorites.  Organize a walking group, and set out with your friends each morning.  Not only will you increase your lifespan, but you will feel better as you age.

There are many things that you can do to make your retirement years the best years of your life.  Start today by organizing your retirement plans.

1.       To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Adapted from the Harper Lee novel that won the Pulitzer Prize, this film tells the story of the trial of a young black man that stands accused of sexually assaulting a white woman in 1930s Alabama and the young lawyer Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) who defends him.

 2.       12 Angry Men (1957)

Based on the Reginald Rose stage play, “12 Angry Men” chronicles the tumultuous jury deliberations in a seemingly open-and-shut death penalty case.

 3.       Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

James Stewart, George C. Scott, Ben Gazzara and Lee Remick star in this classic that studies the case of a lieutenant in the U.S. Army who is accused of killing a bartender he believed had raped his wife.

 4.       Inherit the Wind (1960)

A film adaptation of the historic Scopes “monkey trial”, the movie “Inherit the Wind” recounts the court case that took place in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925. Much of the film’s courtroom dialog and testimony were taken from the actual transcript from the trial.

 5.       Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Written by renowned mystery writer, Agatha Christie, this movie centers around an arrogant lawyer who, although retired and recovering from a serious illness, is drawn into taking on a bewildering murder case.

 6.       Philadelphia (1993)

Starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, “Philadelphia” is a movie about a gay attorney (Hanks) who sues the hotshot law firm he’s fired from after they learn he has AIDS. Washington plays Hanks’ lawyer who takes the case when no one else will.

 7.       The Verdict (1982)

This courtroom drama stars Paul Newman as a has-been, alcoholic lawyer who gets one more chance to keep his career with a medical-malpractice case and ends up realizing along the way that what he’s doing is right.

 8.       Erin Brockovich (2000)

“Erin Brockovich”, stars Julia Roberts, and tells true story of a single mom working as a paralegal whose relentless investigation into a suspicious real estate case turns up evidence showing a long standing pattern of illegal toxic dumping and leads to one of the most substantial class action suits in American history.

 9.       Presumed Innocent (1990)

A movie adaptation of the Scott Turow best seller, Harrison Ford plays Rusty Sabich, a first-rate prosecutor who’s accused of the murder of a colleague he’d had an affair with.

 10.   Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)

Directed by Stanley Kramer, “Judgment at Nuremberg” illustrates the 1948 Nazi war crimes trials. It focuses on the charges against and trials of four German judges who allowed their courtrooms to be used by the Nazis to further their atrocities.

 11.   Breaker Morant (1980)

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, “Breaker Morant” details the real-life story of three men who are put on trial and are convicted of war crimes after fighting on the side of the British Empire in South Africa’s colonial Boer War.

 12.   My Cousin Vinny (1992)

In this comedy, Vinny Gambini (Joe Pesci) is a lawyer who just passed the bar exam after five previous attempts and is called upon to defend his cousin and a friend when they’re arrested and charged with capital murder in rural Alabama.

13.   A Man for All Seasons (1966)

Telling the story of the political struggle that surrounded Henry VIII’s decision to divorce his wife in order to marry Anne Boleyn, clearly defying the Roman Catholic Church. It centers on Sir Thomas More, the judge turned chancellor of England who found himself caught in the middle of this upheaval.

 14.   A Few Good Men (1992)

A star-studded film, “A Few Good Men” is a suspenseful drama that depicts the court-martial trial of two junior ranking Marines who are charged for the death of a fellow Marine that was caused by an unofficial punishment technique they had taken part in. Tom Cruise and Demi Moore star as the Navy JAG defense team, with Jack Nicholson as the accused’s commanding officer.

 15.   Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Both winning Oscars for their performances, Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman star opposite each other in this drama about an estranged couple, Joanna and Ted Kramer, who are wrapped up in a nasty custody battle for their son.

No matter what it is about law and lawyer movies that draws you in, there tends to be something in these intellectual thrillers, dramas and comedies for everyone! Check out these flicks and see how they stack up to your own list of the best law movies of all time.

Everyone knows how much good herbs and spices can add to your dishes. But which ones are the best and most popular in American kitchens? The five below are the ones that you really cannot afford to do without as you cook your next meal. Remember, herbs and spices are always best when they are freshly ground or chopped. Most dried herbs and spices on the shelf in the grocery store lost their potency long ago. Buy small, fresh quantities of these great herbs and spices and grind them up yourself:

#1 Garlic

Fresh garlic is a great all spice for your kitchen. Did you know that one raw garlic clove, when it is minced or chopped, releases more flavor than when you cook a dozen whole cloves? Keep this in mind when you want to add a lot of kick to a salad or a hot dish.

When you cook a garlic clove, the flavor tends to mellow out into a sweeter, sort of nutty flavor that is not nearly as pungent as raw garlic. This nuttier flavor can make a very nice add to desserts , such as brownies and ice cream.

When you are sautéing your garlic, you should be careful not to burn it. This will cause the garlic to get very bitter.

Note that if you have a good garlic press, you don’t even need to peel the cloves. Just stick the unpeeled cloves in your press and go at it! You can just take the skins out when you are done.

#2 Peppercorns

Pepper is the third most common ingredient, after water and salt. When you are using pepper for your regular recipes, you should avoid adding it until the end of your cooking so the flavor does not lose its potency.

When you are doing a recipe with a lot of pepper on high heat, you should know that smoke from the pepper can irritate your eyes, so have good ventilation.

If you are making a dish that is lighter in color, the black pepper specks might detract from the final product. This is when you should call in the white pepper. Both types of pepper can be used interchangeably.

If you do not have a pepper mill, you should stop what you are doing and go buy one! The flavor difference with fresh ground pepper is huge.

#3 Oregano

Oregano, like pepper, is one of those herbs/spices that you really need to have fresh. Take the leaves off the stem and toss the stem out. Chop up the leaves for some really tasty oregano!

Some people find that oregano can be rather strong and even overpowering and bitter if you use too much in your food. So, take it easy as you are cooking with it.

Oregano goes well with almost any tomato-based dish. It also goes well with meats and vegetables. It works well with chili, pizza, zucchini, broccoli, eggplant, cauliflower and lamb.

Oregano can be used very effectively with garlic, onion, thyme, basil, parsley and olive oil.

#4 Basil

Basil is a perfect complement to tomatoes, and it also goes great with garlic, onions and olives. Basil works to stimulate our appetites, and it also helps to stop gas. This is probably one of the reasons that it works well with garlic. It is said that basil tea helps a lot with nausea, stomach distress and dysentery.

The leaves are the part of the plant you want the most. Small stems are fine, but larger stems should be tossed out.

Oregano pairs very well with basil, and does not overpower its flavor and aroma.

It’s hard to find the time to go on a vacation with the demands of life, work and family. Thinking about deadlines and responsibilities, you may feel stressed out or burned out from the chaos of it all. Of course, you have to work to pay the bills and when you get home, do some chores and take care of the kids. But have you ever thought of having a little me time? This doesn’t mean going to a luxurious spa or getting an expensive treatment or massage (although who could blame if you did go?), sometimes the little things can ultimately make you relaxed and ready for the day ahead. What are the requirements? You only need five minutes, and here’s how:

Gaming

Why do you think people play games? It’s not to waste the day away. They do it because it’s easy to sit back, relax and forget about your problems while your head is immersed in the progress of a game. It doesn’t matter if you are playing a console game, making use of the apps on your smartphone, or using the internet for online gaming, you see a marked improvement in the average person’s stress levels. You can play online games like www.cheekybingo.com or an MMORPG, and meet new friends within their fresh and exciting online communities, or you can take advantage of Xbox Live for another dimension of gaming. You’ll soon forget your problems.

Healthy snacks

People tend to snack when they want to relax. What they don’t often realize is that this doesn’t necessarily mean getting a burger with fries and a milkshake. You’re just stress eating on unhealthy foods, which at the end of the day will only stress you out more, because not only will you gain unwanted pounds, you’ll also cause damage to your body. Why not try simpler foods like fruits, vegetables and grains, and sip on some green tea or your favorite herbal tea from Twinings. It will soothe you in less than five minutes. Better yet it’s a natural source of antioxidants. Indulge yourself and nibble on some dark chocolate too, because it is also rich in antioxidants.

Chewing away your stress

People often find they need to be doing something with their teeth to help relieve everyday tensions. Hence why so many people bite their nails or grind their teeth together. Chewing on something can help relax you very quickly, so for some chewing gum is the perfect solution. The continuous motion of chewing gum supplies is a known stress reliever as well as a good trick to lower cortisol levels. Munching on some crunchy snacks such as trail mix or a multigrain or granola bar, can also distract you from your average problems, and keep your tummy happy at the same time.

Simple exercises

If you’re in the office and slouched in that chair of yours, you can do some simple exercises within your work space that will relax you when your back gets stiff, and you need stretch out your limbs. Also exercise releases endorphins that make you feel better about yourself and your life. You can stand up and walk around to be able to stretch those muscles and do a quick walk outside the office and take in some sunshine. Or perhaps you could do some minor pilates moves whilst stood in the kitchen waiting for your lunch to heat up in the microwave. At home you could go even further and complete an exercise DVD, or dance around the house to your favorite music. It will definitely lighten up your mood.

It only takes minimal effort and time to gain relaxation. It’s all about keeping an open mind.

I can barely keep myself from laughing when I see the link above for Whipped Cream Tools.

So, am I seeing things that aren’t there or does someone at Williams-Sonoma had Freudian issues that are just now coming out in an effort to sell ice cream scoops. What do you think?

Downtown Disney — an expansive, admission-free shopping, dining, and entertainment promenade adjacent to the new theme park — has been the subject of fawning media attention from both local and national press.  The official mythology has it that Michael Berry, senior vice president of the attraction, and Imagineering exec Timur Galen looked towards the world’s most beloved public places for cues while designing this “model” downtown.  They visited the Champs-Élysées, Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, Plaza Mayor in Madrid, a multitude of Italian piazzas, and New York’s Madison Avenue.  To Berry’s mind, these are all spaces that encourage a rich public life, full of unexpected meetings and minglings, by virtue of their design alone; for Disney, Berry’s assumption means that with a few design secrets from ancient cities, they can quickly will into being their own fully functional downtown.

This isn’t Disney’s first attempt to branch out from theme parks into meaningful community spaces. Celebration, Florida, a residential community near Orlando built and owned by the Disney Corporation, was modeled, according to Disney literature, on early-American cities like Savannah, Charleston, and Nantucket. It was even more directly inspired by Seaside, Florida, the flagship New Urbanist community built in the 1980s to mimic the pedestrian-friendly layout of a traditional small town. But while the founders of New Urbanism were mostly concerned with traffic reduction and zoning laws, the Disney version is at least as preoccupied with other kinds of rules, like how often residents mow their lawns and what color they paint their homes. Critics are quick to point out that this level of surveillance has more in common with suburban subdivisions than the authentic traditional towns Celebration supposedly emulates.

Downtown Disney is prey to the same criticism.  The scale is all wrong here — the buildings are monolithic, neon-drenched entertainment complexes, streets are over-wide in anticipation of hordes of visitors.  Everything is starkly, brightly new.  A recent Los Angeles Times article raves about how Disney went all over America to search out specialty stores like Basin, a Minneapolis bath and spa store, and San Francisco’s venerable Compass Books, but the balance of stores and restaurants is still operated by chains.  Even the nightclubs there to bring an urban edge are well-known chains like ESPN Zone, Rainforest Café, and House of Blues. These are the same chains that pock our actual cities, but when they’re gathered together in a few hundred thousand scrupulously clean square feet, the feeling is that of a particularly well-designed mall.

The Disney dream of sanitized, micromanaged fantasylands is, of course, fundamentally at odds with the randomness of urban areas, and it’s not surprising that Disney’s Downtown is not a very convincing approximation of a city plaza. And perhaps the distinction is illusory anyway, as the corporation buys up property in real city neighborhoods and Disneyfies them into family entertainment areas. Certainly, Disney doesn’t seem to have had any trouble convincing the public that their Downtown is at least as good as the actual thing.  On a recent weekday afternoon, patrons crowded the magazine stand outside of Compass Books (“Disney doesn’t really tell us what to stock, except that we’re not allowed to sell High Times or Playboy,” explained a Compass employee) and a couple of carts selling novelty items did brisk business.  A little boy in a red Mickey Mouse sweatshirt stared up at the monorail track that bisects the sky above the street and asked his mother what it was.  “It’s public transportation, honey,” said the Orange County resident.  “That’s how people get places in cities.”

Jade Chang is a writer living in Los Angeles.

You have heard the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words, well, I’m going to let this picture do all the talking. I just felt I had to share it with my online friends.

Vintage photograph of a man with fish eyes, just not the kind of fish eyes you think. Here’s looking at you, kid.