My family and I ran the first 5K race on Dec. 19. This day was the coldest day of the year but it did not stop us from getting out of the bed and run for the good cause. Though it was rainy and soggy outside, as soon as I entered the large auditorium I felt...Christmas. The holiday condensed to one place. No, not the North Pole, but instead the Festival of Trees--presented by Amerilife.
It’s a winding path full of people, from couples to children to the elderly, all moving around the gorgeous trees and wreaths. Almost every festive foliage with a sponsor and a price, so that anyone could take them home to make their holidays brighter.
As I got further in, I notice detail after detail. The first being ornate, well-made, miniature Christmas houses. Creating a feeling of not only a forest, but also an elven village. And then there were the shops, of which I discovered there were a few.
A place for candy, a place for what appeared to be decorations, and perhaps my favorite: a place for popcorn. Per my tradition of visiting the newest local events, I had to buy something, and I was pleased with my choice: Sweet – E’s Kettle Corn, who were nice enough to give me a sample before I eventually decided on buying some of their delicious cinnamon sugar popcorn. Which disappeared quite quickly once I shared it with my family.
Finally, towards the back of it all, past the kids sitting with Santa, and even more trees, there was a performance. At the moment I was there, it was a ballet, and it acted as a good conclusion to my visit.
And when I left, with a bag of popcorn in my hand, I stepped outside. And though it was still wet from the rain, I did not feel cold. I felt warm. The way only the holidays make you feel.
---Beneath the food and the parties and it’s somewhat complex historical roots, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. And while on that day I will be giving mine to my family and friends, and all the other things I am lucky enough to have, I think it also time to give it to some of the businesses that do so much to make their customers happy.
So, in no particular order:
Thank you, Chipotle on Gulf to Bay Boulevard, for serving food that I actually get to see before it goes into my burrito. And for being able to handle specialty orders on the fly amidst your fast-moving lines.
Thank you, Barnes and Noble by Sunset Point, for having a coffee shop built into your bookstore. For allowing two of the best possible smells--book paper and roasting coffee--to exist in the same place. For making an overwhelmingly pleasant atmosphere to browse in, and for having book displays marketing new interesting releases.
Thank you, Pierce Street Market underneath the Memorial Causeway Bridge, for updating me every time you’re open on Facebook, and for making it possible for me to support local businesses without having to travel around the entire city.
Thank you, One Stoppe Shoppe on Cleveland Street, for being in the perfect location for if I need something while I’m in downtown Clearwater. And for excellent customer service and being willing to answer my questions.
And finally, thank you to all of the other businesses who work so hard, who give us good service, and quality products. And in the spirit of the holiday, I hope that your employees have a nice Thanksgiving, and that you--the owners-- do so as well.
And for all you reading this, I wish you the same.
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Le Bouquet by Francis opens its first shop in the Westfield Countryside mall. Francis and Fabien Peyronnet, a father-and-son duo, are introducing a new way to share quality French inspired chocolate to Clearwater. “Oscar bait.” A term perhaps not yet in the popular lexicon, but certainly known by people interested in the film industry. It refers to a type of movie that comes out around Oscar season, a period of time stretching through the last few months of the year.
Oscar bait is—by and large—films with heavy amounts of studio backing, big name actors, and gorgeous sets. They are also stereotypically period pieces and have to do with “true stories” or people with physical or mental disabilities. Sometimes even all at the same time.
The reason this happens is right there in the nickname. Movies coming out towards the end of the year are closer to the Academy Awards, and thus more likely for the judges to remember them. Additionally, for whatever reason, that combination of characteristics is also more likely to score points with those same judges.
In short, they are marketed to them, the same way a restaurant might market to you.
Now, I’m guessing you’re asking, “What does that have to do with me?”
Well, first is because it’s going to be inescapable. Barring Star Wars, these films are a big part of what critics and movie-minded people are going to be talking about. For us Clearwater citizens, these are a lot of what we are going to see playing in Cobb Theater at Countryside Mall. These are what the pre-film trailers are going to be.
And second is that they are usually good movies. Sure a lot of them will fall under the same few rules I underlined above, but you’ll also get ambitious projects, controversial stories, and some seriously impressive acting. This is the time where directors like Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino come out to play.
Going through the upcoming films, we have quite a few to look forward to, especially in the drama section. Coming later this month we have another amazing transformation from Eddie Redmayne, and a movie about a rather charged topic called The Big Short coming out for wide release in December.
So look forward to it, because the Oscar bait is coming, and it’s sure to be a feast for the eyes and the mind.
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If you liked this article, you can read more of Brandon Scott’s work over at The Hive, or on his website: www.coolerbs.com.
