Through a partnership between Rancho Cordova and the National League of Cities (NLC), a free pharmacy discount program is available to those who do not have health insurance or are underinsured.

Card users can save an average of 20% off the regular retail price of prescription drugs. Most major retail pharmacy chains such as Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart,Bead bracelet, and Rite Aid honor the card. In fact, 34 pharmacies within just five miles of City Hall honor the discount card. A list of all participating pharmacies can be obtained at www.caremark.com/nlc.

The Prescription Discount Card covers all family members – there are no age or income requirements. You can even use it for veterinary prescriptions for your pets! For more information click here (http://www.cityofranchocordova.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5640) to download Prescription Flyer.

You’ll find the cards at eight locations throughout the City:

* City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive

* Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, 2729 Prospect Park Drive,key rings, Suite 117

* Rancho Cordova Neighborhood Center, 10665 Coloma Road

* Rancho Cordova Police Station,money clips, 10361 Rockingham Drive

* Rancho Cordova Branch Library, 9845 Folsom Boulevard

* Cordova Recreation and Park District Administration Office, 2197 Chase Drive

* Cordova Senior Center, 3480 Routier Road

* Grapevine Independent Office, 3338 Mather Field Road

For more information about the program, please call 851-8700. The prescription discount program is provided as a public service at no taxpayer expense by the City and the NLC.

The RxCut(R)Plus card works much like a traditional discount coupon that entitles users to savings that range as high as 50 to 75 percent for prescriptions, lab tests and medical imaging. The card is free and doesn’t expire. The discount will be applied to those medications that are not included in the drug formulary of the plan at the moment of the purchase. MMM and PMC, with a pioneering tradition in Puerto Rico, is the first company to offer this benefit on the island.

"With this initiative, we will give our members a wide array of options to save on both every-day and one-time healthcare needs," said Orlando Gonzalez, President of MMM and PMC. "In a tough economy like today’s,tiffany, we are proud to provide them with a relief like this so that they can stay up to date on medications and necessary healthcare visits."

"We’re pleased to help the mission of MMM and PMC healthcare to find innovative solutions for delivering higher quality care," Gerard J. Ferro, CEO of Free For All, said. "It’s always a pleasure to work with forward-thinking organizations such as this."

The RxCut(R)Plus program is entirely consistent with MMM and PMC healthcare mission to find innovative solutions to managing,pendants, increasing access to and delivering a higher quality of care. RxCut(R)Plus helps those who might not otherwise seek assistance and is among the most innovative cost-reduction programs found anywhere.

Keywords: Free For All.

"Harmful chemicals have no place in the products we put on our bodies or on our children’s bodies," said Rep. Schakowsky. "Our cosmetics laws are woefully out of date–manufacturers aren’t even required to disclose all their ingredients on labels,Bead bracelet, leaving Americans unknowingly exposed to harmful mystery ingredients. This bill will finally protect those consumers."

The legislation includes a phase-out of ingredients linked to cancer and birth defects, full ingredient disclosure, and help for small businesses to meet new regulations.

Americans use an average of 10 personal care products each day, resulting in exposure to about 126 chemicals. Personal care products add to our daily chemical exposures from air, water, food and other consumer products.

"The cosmetics industry says the amounts of potentially toxic chemicals in their products are so small that they carry no risk, but we know that for some chemicals small doses can have big effects," said Maryann Donovan, Ph.D., an expert on environmental exposures and biological effects from the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. "We need to better understand the short- and long-term health effects resulting from small doses of toxic chemicals,money clips, repeated daily exposures, exposures during fetal or infant development, and exposures to mixtures of chemicals in personal care products."

Today the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics launched The Story of Cosmetics, a 7-minute video by Annie Leonard of The Story of Stuff that reveals the toxic side of the beauty industry and calls for regulatory change. www.storyofcosmetics.org

"When there are cancer-causing chemicals in baby shampoo and mercury in skin cream, you know the system is broken," said Janet Nudelman of the Breast Cancer Fund and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. "The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 recognizes that consumers have a right to safe personal care products, that companies have a responsibility to understand the health effects of the chemicals in their products, and that we need government to help us get there."

Keywords: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Cancer,watches, Chemistry, Cosmetics, Oncology, Specialty Uses of Chemicals.

Her OB/GYN offered to do a tummy tuck after she delivered Siegel’s third child. Her eye doctor suggested injectables for the wrinkles between her brows when she went in for an eye exam. And when she asked her dentist about some simple cosmetic dentistry, he offered to nearly overhaul her entire mouth.

Cosmetic procedures — from dental veneers to Botox — have proved to be financial boons to many dentists and doctors. But what’s good for the physicians may not always be in the best interest, at least financially, of the patients. Porcelain veneers can cost as much as $2,000 a tooth; each area of wrinkles treated with Botox can run $400. Few cosmetic procedures are covered by insurance, and high-pressure sales pitches are far harder to spurn when you’re in an examination room. After all, turning down the person you’ve turned your health over to is a lot harder than dissing the perfume lady at your local department store.

"People mistakenly think that doctors and people in positions of authority are the voice of truth," says psychotherapist and "money coach" Olivia Mellan. "Consumers have to learn to be their own advocates."

Siegel, of Westfield, N.J., has gotten good at saying no but wishes she didn’t have to be so on guard with health care providers. It was during a visit to her eye doctor to update her contact lens prescription that the doctor suggested she get the filler Restylane for the furrow between her eyebrows. She was nearing her 40th birthday at the time. He even tried to convince her that it would be a good birthday present to herself.

"I was horrified," says Siegel. "Now, if I were going to have the furrow filled, I certainly wouldn’t have it done by my eye doctor."

With cosmetic procedures soaring in popularity, it’s going to get increasingly harder to avoid pitches. Consumers opted for 69% more cosmetic procedures — everything from a shot of collagen to a face-lift — in 2009 compared with 2000, according to an April report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Botox injections increased 509% during that period, the report says.

Revenue from cosmetic dentistry climbed to $2.75 billion nationwide in 2007, up 15% from 2005, according to the most recent numbers available from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

With so many elective procedures, Cleveland-based dentist Matthew Messina says he tries to explain to patients what’s available but also what’s truly necessary.

"Part of the practice of dentistry today is making sure your patients understand what opportunities exist for them," Messina says. "But at the same time, that doesn’t mean that everything needs to be done for everybody."

Messina says he and his patients evaluate whether to address only medical needs, such as decay or infection,Bead bracelet, or to consider cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening or veneers. He recommends patients ask if a procedure being recommended is elective and, if so, why they should consider going through with it. He adds that patients should ask their dentist if the procedure will be covered by insurance.

Many procedures performed by dermatologists — such as removing benign skin lesions — aren’t covered by most insurance providers, including Medicare, says Vernon, Conn.-based dermatologist Robert Greenberg. But insurance providers will usually cover the removal of lesions if there’s a chance they’re harmful.

Greenberg says he writes down the pertinent information about any diagnosis or procedure he recommends so patients can check with their insurance providers to see if it’s covered.

Many procedures fall into a "gray zone" between medical and cosmetic, says Daniel Rousso, president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. These include the removal of scars, surgery on the outside of the nose to complement surgery to fix a problem inside the nose and surgery on the upper eyelids.

"If it’s not enough of a visual problem, then it’s not going to be covered,necklaces," he says.

Grant Tarbox, Aetna’s medical director for the Dallas-Fort Worth region, says some procedures may seem cosmetic but are still covered by insurance because they’re done out of medical necessity. Examples include breast-reduction surgery to treat back problems or breast augmentation following a prophylactic mastectomy.

Consumers have mixed feelings about the move toward multipurpose medicine.

Ellen Bernstein of Manahawkin, N.J., says she’s never had a doctor or dentist try to sell her a product or service that wasn’t medically necessary. If they did, "I would be very angry and probably find a new doctor," she says.

Jill Jarvis of New Castle,Beads necklace, N.H., says she’d be offended if she went to, say, a dermatologist for a medical issue and had a cosmetic procedure suggested. But if "they approached the subject delicately and with courtesy and respect," it wouldn’t bother her as much.

Mellan, co-author of the book Overcoming Overspending, says no matter how soft the sell, consumers still need to be on guard when cosmetic procedures are involved.

"Looking perfect … can be another addictive purchase," Mellan says.

List

Pre-procedure tips

*Know the difference between procedures that must be done for medical reasons, should be done to prevent future problems and could be done to make you look better.

*Find out what your insurance covers. Doctors should check for you when they recommend a procedure, but you should contact your insurer, too.

*Ask whether procedures that could be considered cosmetic are medically necessary.

Blevins, who as a hobby bakes and sells cupcakes out of her St. Albans home,bracelets, is used to the accolades. Usually, someone is on hand to eat a cupcake or three.

"When you come bearing cupcakes, you are instantly popular," she said. "Everybody is glad to see you."

Blevins recently sent one of her cupcake recipes to a national contest to compete against more than 200 other recipes from bakers across the country.

Her Devilly Good Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle was named one of the top 10 cupcake recipes in the competition, which was sponsored by cake mix giant Duncan-Hines.

Once the competition cupcakes were whittled down to 10, critics from magazines like Saveur and Ladies Home Journal sampled the finalists’ creations. Wisconsin native Katie Rousonelos’ Red Carpet Glamour, with chocolate ganache filling and vanilla bean frosting, beat Blevins’ Devilly Good recipe.

As the winner, Rousonelos will pass out her cupcakes to celebrities during this year’s Emmy Awards.

"If I had it all to do over again,key rings, I asked myself ‘would you have made a different cupcake?’" Blevins said. "And the truth is, I wouldn’t have."

Aside from her apple pie and Devilly Good cupcakes, Blevins bakes Oreo cream, brownie white chocolate cream,Bead bracelet, coconut cream pie, key lime pie, and especially dangerous death by chocolate cupcakes.

She said her husband’s favorite is her orange Dreamsicle cupcake, made to taste like an orange cream Popsicle.

"When you bite into this cupcake it tastes like you are biting into a Dreamsicle Popsicle," she said.

When Blevins is in her experimental stages, she takes a bowl of batter and a spoon to her husband,earrings, Dan, to get a second opinion.

"Here, try it, tell me," she tells him.

He considers her the "cupcake wizard," she said.

Blevins bakes cupcakes only because she said they are easier than baking full cakes. There are fewer ingredients and less of a mess afterward, she said. She sells six to eight dozen cupcakes from her home every week at prices ranging from $15 to $24 a dozen depending on the cupcake.

Blevins works in customer service for third-party used car financer JD Byrider. She said after a tough day, it’s nice to come home and do what she loves.

"This is why I love baking," she said. "When I come home, I put all of the baking ingredients together and it comes out. It’s very therapeutic for me."

Those interested in Blevins’ cupcakes may call her at 304-421-8640.

Reach Zac Taylor at Zachary.Taylor@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5189.

Rock Band’s New Album Debuts at No. 1

Rock band Avenged Sevenfold debuts at Number One on this week’s Billboard 200 with its fifth album, Nightmare. First-week sales totaled 163,000 copies. This marks the first Number One album for Avenged Sevenfold. It’s the only new entry in this week’s Top 10 (week ending August 14).

Wyclef to Run For President of Haiti

Haitian hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean has announced he’ll run for president of Haiti. He told People magazine,cuff Links, "The suffering of the people of Haiti, the youth of Haiti – which is the majority of the population – can’t take another five years of the corruption that’s been going on for the past 200 years. This is why I’m running." Elections will be held in November.

McGraw Outdoes Music Artists on Airplay

Country star Tim McGraw had the most airplay of any artist in all genres during the past decade. According to Nielsen BDS, which tracks and reports all airplay of songs on radio, television and the Internet, says McGraw’s songs were played 7,965,000 times from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2009. Tim is currently on tour in support of his Southern Voice album. His upcoming film, Country Song, which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, will hit theaters in December.

Fanklin Falls,Charm bracelet, Cancels Concerts

Aretha Franklin canceled two free concerts in New York that were scheduled to take place this week. On August 1, the 68-year-old "Queen of Soul" fell and fractured some ribs. She also complained of abdominal pain, so doctors advised her to undergo tests. The shows were set for August 9 and 12 in Brooklyn. Franklin hopes to make them up in late August.

New Album Releases August 10:"31 Minutes To Takeoff" by Mike Posner "All About Tonight" by Blake Shelton "Emily West" by Emily West "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" by various artists "Greatly Blessed" by the Gaither Vocal Band "Dejo vu" by George Duke "Lost Tracks 1929-1959" (box set) by Judy Garland.

Musical Events/Festivals/Benefits:

Country singer Michael Martin Murphey’s WESTFEST 2010 will take place August 12-15 in Rifle, Colorado. Also on the bill are Patty Loveless, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Trailer Choir and bluegrass legend Peter Rowan, among others. Murphey founded WESTFEST in 1986 as a way to preserve memories and images of the Old West. He says, "I wanted to present the West to people who might otherwise perceive it only through a movie director’s tunnel vision. I want to show the Real American West!" Murphey’s hits include "Carolina In The Pines,Charm pendant," "Wildfire" and "What’s Forever For."

Colorado’s Mile High Music Festival begins on August 14 in Denver. More than 40 bands will perform at the two-day music and arts event. Headliners include the Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson,necklaces, Weezer, Train, Keane and Nas & Damian Marley.

Lady GaGa Leads VMA Nominations

Lady GaGa’s "The Remix" CD

Lady Gaga leads this year’s MTV Video Music Award (VMA) nominees. The pop star received a record-breaking 13 nominations, including Video of the Year, Best Pop Video, Best Female Video and Best Dance Video for "Bad Romance." Other top contenders include Eminem, B.o.B. and Ke$ha. Justin Bieber’s "Baby" brought him his first VMA nomination for Best New Artist. The 2010 MTV VMA’s will be presented in Los Angeles on September 12. (Complete list of nominees at www.mtv.com.)

Look Who’s Going On Tour!

Sheryl Crow’s ’100 Miles From Memphis’ CD

On August 11, Sheryl Crow will kick off a 30-date North American tour in Rama, Ontario. She’ll be supporting her new album, 100 Miles From Memphis. After wrapping up shows on October 1, Crow will head to Europe for seven shows in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and Denmark.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Ozzfest will begin on August 14 in San Bernardino, California. The six-city amphitheater tour is also scheduled to stop in Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Hartford, Connecticut; Camden, New Jersey and Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to Osbourne, main stage acts include Motley Crue, Rob Halford, Devil Driver and Nonpoint.

And, over the past few decades, the three men have sold suits, men’s clothes and other items at their separate downtown Hutchinson businesses, which, coincidently, are across the street from each other.

However, William D. Long says, his Long’s store, 110 N. Main St., is still in business, just like it has been since 1946.

William D. Long received several calls since The News ran an article that state agents had seized the assets of Mainstreet Menswear on Wednesday morning for nonpayment of taxes.

William C. Long Sr. and Jr. — no relation to William D. Long — own that business.

Confused? Well, so are some of William D.’s customers, he said.

William D. Long said he knew there would be a problem when someone left condolences on his home answering machine Wednesday. His customers also are calling the store asking what will happen to their orders.

Nothing, of course,bangles, he said.

"Primarily, it hasn’t been a problem," he said of having multiple William Longs with businesses,pendants, noting that if someone called asking for junior or senior, he and his employees knew to redirect them.

"It’s a little more of a problem now," he added.

Long’s is open seven days a week, he said,Charm bracelet, and will continue to offer men’s and women’s clothing, as well as boots, Western wear, suits and tuxedo rentals.

Credit: The Hutchinson News, Kan.

Eighteen rain barrels decorated by local artists as part of the City of Lenexa’s Rain Barrel Parade go on sale on eBay today.

Potential bidders can find the URL to the eBay auction on the city’s Rain to Recreation program website, www.raintorecreation.org, by clicking on the "Rain Barrel Parade" link. Visiting the city’s eBay profile at http://myworld.ebay.com/colkansas or simply searching for "rain barrel" in eBay’s search bar will also provide access to the auction.

The auction runs through Wednesday,watches, Aug. 18. Bidding for each barrel begins at $65, with proceeds going toward the Rain to Recreation program’s educational efforts. Last year’s proceeds built a rain garden at the Legler Barn Museum and funded materials for the 2010 parade.

Lenexa’s Rain Barrel Parade originally featured 20 barrels. The barrel that received the most votes during June and July was designated as the People’s Choice Award winner and was given away at Waterfest July 31. Another barrel was donated to become a year-round display.

"Asian Rain Garden," designed by the Lenexa Field and Garden Club,cuff Links, received the award and was won at Waterfest by Lenexa resident Kyle Schluben and his father Bob.

Lenexa’s Rain Barrel Parade is an initiative created by the city’s parks and recreation department and watershed management program, Rain to Recreation, which educates residents on the benefits of green stormwater solutions.

For more information on the auction, Rain Barrel Parade or Rain to Recreation program, visit www.raintorecreation.org or contact Mandy Stark, outreach and education specialist, at mstark@ci.lenexa.ks.us. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement,bracelets, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Susanne Neely,money clips, 913/477-7557.

Despite the urging of several who spoke during the public hearing on the issue,key rings, Aiken County Council approved by a majority to put the referendum on the ballot this year instead of postponing it until 2011. And,bracelets, in turn,pendants, approved the lengthy list of projects that would be funded by the sales tax revenue if the referendum passes.

Several members of Council, by their own admission, were undecided on the referendum’s timing up until the moment the vote was taken. Ultimately, however,money clips, they said they had no desire to spend taxpayer money on a 2011 special election. Nor did they want to risk low voter turnout, for which special elections are notorious. More people are expected to be drawn to the polls this November eager for the chance to shape state leadership in races for governor, lieutenant governor, superintendent of education and others.

"I don’t believe we should ever have a vote on a tax in a special election," Councilwoman Kathy Rawls said.

Yet, the majority of those who addressed Council Tuesday, encouraged the body to delay the referendum for one year citing the electorate’s frustration with perceived government mismanagement of money — more specifically on the state and federal level — and with taxes in general.

"We’re all very much aware of how angry people are. They are frustrated with taxes … and the loss of individual rights. I recommend holding off one year. The taxpayers’ attitude may change," said Pete Seaha, chairman of the Aiken County TEA Party.

Others took issue, not only with the very idea of the tax, but with the projects it proposes to fund. One woman scoffed what she called "fluff" projects.

"Playgrounds. Why do we need new playgrounds? It is not the job of government to provide those things," she said.

Councilman Gary Bunker argued that one man’s fluff is another man’s needs but did note he was "dismayed" the City of Aiken chose to keep the Railroad Depot on its list.

Councilman Willar Hightower voted in opposition to the ordinance proposing the tax’s continuation.

"I don’t like a sales tax to fund basic government functions," he said. "When I look at the list, for the most part it is good. But, there seemed to be a mood this year of, ‘We don’t want to fund certain organizations.’ Railroad Depot funding is not what you want to do. But there are other worthy organizations, like the Cumbee Center."

Councilwoman LaWana McKenzie was absent.

The Capital Projects Sales Tax is a special one-cent option sales tax applying to the gross proceeds of sales in Aiken County, excluding unprepared food if it is purchased with food stamps. County Administrator Clay Killian has estimated the total take from round three would be anywhere between $130 million to $145 million.

This will be the third renewal. Each reimposed tax must not exceed seven years from the date of reimposition. It will not be another penny collected on top of the current one.

If voters do not pass it in November, the referendum cannot be reintroduced until 2012. The current round is expected to expire in the first quarter of 2012.

"I am not so sure the next four years are going to be a heck of a lot of fun without the Capital Projects Sales Tax," said Councilman Scott Singer.

The annual performance series is now taking subscriptions and selling single-event tickets for its ninth season, which begins Sept. 9. Featured this year are everything from military jazz and ventriloquism to family magic, tribute artists and show tunes.

"It’s good," program director David Yandle said of the series, "and it’s been really good for the area."

In its first year, the series drew about 125 subscriptions, or season tickets to the shows. Last year that number grew to more than 700.

"We’re getting people from Gastonia, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, Rock Hill," Yandle said. "We’re getting people from everywhere now."

The list of international, national and regional artists includes new and returning acts. The most expensive ticket is $15, ranging all the way down to the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors and child tickets for the Tarradiddle Players — both free.

For series technical director Rick Hamrick, choosing a favorite act from the lineup may be difficult.

"Kathy Mattea’s concerts are always great," he said of the Oct. 2 show. "We look forward to having her return this year. Alex Depue and Miguel De Hoyos will be outstanding."

Annual staples should be a big draw,cuff Links, Yandle said, like the tradition of bringing in a top flight military band. The Jazz Ambassadors play Oct. 16.

"We have all the military bands," Yandle said. "We’re batting a thousand on that. You can’t beat the military bands."

On March 29, a Patsy Cline tribute comes from Katie Deal. On Feb. 8, the "Iron Man of the Mask," Franc D’Ambrosio, will perform from his extensive career, which included a decade as the lead in "Phantom of the Opera." For Yandle and Hamrick, the success of past series help bring in such stellar artists.

"We have continued to increase our subscriber base since our first season," Hamrick said. "The artists have commented on the size and enthusiastic response from our audiences."

The series also benefits from grants from the Southern Arts Federation and South Carolina Arts Commission, which help with artist fees, and provide Arts in Education opportunities involving artists and students. Those grants help keep the subscription cost in the 1,500-seat auditorium to $40 for nine shows.

"David and I feel that the arts series is an asset to the community, and we are fortunate to be able to present these shows with the support of the Clover School District and the community," Hamrick said.

For more information about the series or for tickets, call 803-222-8018 or visit clover2.k12.sc.us.

The shows

Lynn Trefzger, 7 p.m. Sept. 9, $15

Trefzger is a ventriloquist/comedienne with a trunk full of zany characters that have accompanied her to stages throughout the country. Her vocal illusions were first brought to national audiences on TV’s popular "Star Search." Since then she has shared the stage with artists including Jeff Foxworthy, Ray Romano,bracelets, the Smothers Brothers and Drew Carey. She has appeared on ABC, TNN, A&E, VH1 and Lifetime television, along with the 2009 feature film "I’m No Dummy" with Jeff Dunham and Jay Johnson.

Kathy Mattea, 8 p.m. Oct. 2, $15

Mattea, the beloved Grammy-winning singer of such classics as "18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses" and "Where Have You Been" says her new album offered her a "re-education" in singing. That album, "COAL," is one of those rare records that is a re-education for the listener, too, a record that reshapes the way we think about music, reminding us of why we love it in the first place.

United States Army Jazz Ambassadors, 8 p.m. Oct. 16, free (ticket required)

The Jazz Ambassadors is the United States Army’s premier big band. This 19-member ensemble, formed in 1969, has received great acclaim both at home and abroad performing America’s original art form, jazz. Concerts by the Ambassadors are designed to entertain all types of audiences. Custom compositions and arrangements highlight the group’s creative talent and gifted soloists. Their diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz,rings, standards, popular tunes, Dixieland, vocals and patriotic selections.

DePue & De Hoyos, 8 p.m. Nov. 16, $15

Alex Depue began taking classical violin lessons at age 5. He won his first major competition at age 10, and at 16, he won a competition that allowed him to play at Carnegie Hall. Miguel De Hoyos performed his first solo concert when he was 16. He has performed with La Guitarra Por El Mundo traveling throughout Mexico and Europe on a cultural exchange program. This duo’s music is a jaw-dropping tour de force of Latin, classic rock and show tunes.

Their new CD, "Underground Whispers." is rock ‘n’ roll on fiddle and guitar featuring "Dust In The Wind" by Kansas, "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, and "All I Ask Of You" from "The Phantom Of The Opera."

April Verch Band, 8 p.m. Jan. 11, $15

Ontario’s Ottawa Valley is steeped in cultural history, including a musical style and step dancing heritage influenced by the French, Irish, Scottish, Polish and German settlers of this region in Canada. Verch, a modern pioneer of this tradition, is emerging as one of the top female artists in the roots music genre. She has built a repertoire rich in original tunes influenced deeply by the treasure chest of musical jewels passed down through the generations.

Tarradiddle Players: "The Commedia Princess and the Pea," 7 p.m. Jan. 27, $5 (children 12 and younger free)

In this funny, fast-paced show, the Tarradiddle Players put a slapstick spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale. The lonely prince wants to find someone to marry, but potential princesses must first get past his mother, the Queen, and her long list of tests. Will any of them be royal enough to turn a cartwheel, sing "Happy Birthday" while hopping up and down on one leg, and feel a teeny, tiny pea under a big stack of mattresses?

Franc D’Ambrosio, 8 p.m. Feb. 8, $15

Affectionately known as "Phantom Of The Opera’s" Iron Man Of The Mask, D’Ambrosio was awarded the distinction as the "World’s Longest Running Phantom." This accomplishment was immortalized in a cemented hand ceremony and he retained this title for more than a decade. He was discovered by talent scouts from Paramount Pictures in the chorus of his first Broadway show. Francis Ford Coppola immediately cast him as Anthony Corleone, the singing son of Al Pacino in the film "Godfather III." Not only did D’Ambosio have the honor of starring in the film, he also sang the Academy Award-winning theme song, "Speak Softly Love" (Brucia la Terra).

Family Night XII: "The Magic of John Tudor," 7 p.m. March 15, $3 ($8 for whole family)

"The Magic of John Tudor" has been enjoyed across North America by theater audiences, Fortune 500 companies, conference attendees and thousands of school students since 1987. Tudor’s shows are a "magical journey," an energetic mix of imaginative stories and state-of-the-art magic. His original magical pieces are theatrical; from fairy tale romance to struggles with cosmic forces, pulling the heart strings and touching the funny bone.

A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, 8 p.m. March 29,earrings, $15

America’s favorite Patsy Cline tribute star, Katie Deal, is backed by a band of singers and musicians. She interacts throughout the show with Little Big Man, a disc jockey from her hometown in Winchester, Va., as well as outrageous standup comics who do warm-up acts for her concerts and radio shows. This happy, loving tribute to country music’s most endearing superstar features 21 of Cline’s greatest hits including "Sweet Dreams," "Walkin’ After Midnight," "I Fall To Pieces," "Crazy," "She’s Got You," "Seven Lonely Days," and the title song, "A Closer Walk With Thee."