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Do Casinos Benefit a Community & Public Education? Maryland Voters Decide in November

September 20, 2012

Which way will you vote in November on Question 7?

Look, regular readers know I generally don’t cover political topics – trust me, I have very strong political views – but other people do it better than me. But, as a resident of Maryland, I have to admit I feel it my duty to really consider Question 7 before the election in November. By now, anyone who lives locally in DC has seen any one of the innumerable TV ads on whether or not to vote for opening casinos in Prince George’s County. I asked Mr. Wired Momma just last night what he thought and he still was undecided.

So I decided to poke around. As a person who quite enjoys having an opinion and who certainly takes voting, and making informed choices, very seriously – I decided it was my civic duty to look into this issue. Even if you’re not a Maryland resident, I still think this is an important topic because you never know when the issue will pop up in your community. Or perhaps there are other local issues on the ballot in your community that you maybe need to spend more time reading up on but keep putting it off, sorta like I was doing with Question 7.

To give you some background, from my understanding, the crux of this issue playing out on TV is whether or not to Vote Yes to Question 7 allowing gambling in PG County. The advocates claim we should all vote in favor because it will channel more money into public education in Maryland. The opponents claim this isn’t true. From my reading, it seems Maryland residents in 2008 voted in favor of slot machine gambling to support public education and the Education Trust Fund was created.

So this is super, right?
Well, it’s also lobbying and government friends, so pulling back the curtain a little bit more, it seems that because of economic realities today, and the inevitable state deficit, funds in the Education Trust Fund can actually be dispersed beyond just education – which is precisely what has been happening. And that, right there, is what the opponents of Question 7 are claiming will happen should the slots be approved in November for PG County. In fact, according to this article, “The State Comptroller Peter Franchot said claims that the expansion of gaming will generate more for education only appeal “to the altruism of voters who want to do the right thing” for kids, when it does nothing to bring in new dollars for education.”

Suddenly I started feeling less favorable towards Question 7. But then I also believe that the state needs the funds for other reasons, public safety, roads, and these items all better the lot of us. So even if the funds are diverted from education, is that such a bad thing?

Well, it depends on your feelings towards gambling and if you believe it actually benefits or harms a local community.

Naturally I dug further. Initially I started thinking it would be a good thing because it will create jobs for those who are building the casino, working the casino.

But what about the local businesses around them?

What about the restaurants in PG County that rely upon their local patrons who might be diverted to the casino because they can eat and gamble there? Is this akin to a big box retailer moving in and putting the smaller local businesses out of business? According to research out of the University of California, that is precisely what can happen. A classic example being Atlantic City, NJ where the casinos profit on the boardwalk but the rest of Atlantic City remains poor and boarded up with no real benefits to the local community.

So what will you do in November? I urge you to read up on this matter very carefully because like anything in politics, nothing is ever as simple as it appears on a TV ad. What do you think?

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Politics, Uncategorized

Fall 2012 TV Season: My Favorite Moms on TV

September 4, 2012

Last February, I originally posted this piece awarding my favorite moms on TV the exclusive WM Oscars. I love to give out awards, in case you haven’t noticed. Let’s first get some truths out there – first, I am not ashamed to admit I watch TV. Second – I might be a TV addict. And for what it’s worth, my favorite comedy is hands down Happy Endings…which I really hope others are watching because it is ridiculously funny. I’ve noticed repeats running on ABC on Thursday nights and my husband and I are always in stitches through the entire 30 minutes. So, I can’t wait for the new season.

Previously my fav comedy was Modern Family but overall I was disappointed in last year’s season. I felt like it usually missed the mark, and Clarie and Phil were pretty ridiculous. The one episode that really stuck with me was the one where Cam was refusing to say “No” to Lilly and Clarie was biting her tongue because we know that’s the world’s lamest technique with toddlers. I hope this new Fall season is better than last year.

And so, in honor of the new season kicking off in a few weeks, let’s focus on MOI and what I am declaring award-winning work for women in TV (yes, I know, not movies.). The WM Academy of Mothers in TV is a highly sought after award. So without further delay, my two favorite Moms on TV are….drumroll please….Erika Christensen as Julia Braverman-Graham in Parenthood and Madeleine Stowe as Victoria Grayson in Revenge.

Yes, I watch Revenge. And I am highly addicted to Revenge. I absolutely cannot wait for the next season to kick off. You already know I have no shame if I’m admitting I’m addicted to TV, so is it really any surprise that I love a show about rich white women totally trashing each other and destroying their lives as they do nothing productive but fake-care about charities on the Hampton’s all summer long?

But let’s start with Parenthood (remember…I wrote the below last February before the season finales)

Fabulous TV Family

Truth be told, most of the adult characters in this show annoy me endlessly. I find them preachy, self-righteous and often times, totally self-consumed. Yet through my own issues with their on-screen personalities, I continue to watch the show because I commend the writers for covering so many real and important topics and challenges that parents face every day. Also, hailing from a big family myself (ahem, I have three sisters), I think the writers nail the dynamics between siblings from large families. So, that really gives me a soft spot for the show – just watching the very realistic adult sibling dynamics. Hands down, my favorite Mom on TV this season is Erika Christensen in this show. In particular, I think she’s really come into her own this season as she’s portrayed the struggles a woman faces with infertility and her path to adoption. Her entire relationship with Zoe, the woman whose child she is supposed to be adopting, is fraught with stress as she tries to balance supporting her with keeping her distance. I can totally relate to her very Type A, somewhat anal, personality and how difficult it must be for her to have very little control over the outcome of this adoption. Also, her eagerness for the delivery day and to hold that baby is just palpable. Admittedly, I also really like her because her husband is super hot and stays home, she has a beautiful home and seems to realistically manage her demanding career with her family. A few weeks ago, we saw her trying to field conference calls and a sudden deadline while heading on a family road trip for her grandmother’s birthday. She is so real and so honest in her portrayal of a young mom – so I award her with the first ever WM Oscar for Totally Awesome Hip Young Mom on TV.

Now let’s talk about why I love Madeleine Stowe on Revenge. True, you could easily make the case that she is a horrible, disgusting, vapid mother who cares only about her image. I would struggle to argue with you if you did make that case. You could also point out that she’s easily addicted to Botox and not-eating, therefore sets a terrible example for her vulnerable teenage daughter, who also pretty much hates her.

True.

So again, why am I awarding her with the WM Oscar for the Best Mom You Should Probably Never Mimic in Real Life?

Because I love her steely smile and her poise. It’s that simple. I am willing to suspend judgment of her long history of dubious decisions and thoughtless destroying of others’ lives, c’est vrai. I love that in the face of any crisis, whether it be an evil plot, for which she was part of, to destroy a man’s life almost being exposed (by her “best friend” of all people), or her daughter learning very publicly that she never really wanted her to begin with, or her nasty divorce to an equally despicable man becoming even more contentious, she never falters in her poise. She brilliantly stays calm and just pastes on her steely smile, to let everyone else know around her that she will always remain in control.

How can you not admire that in a woman? Even if it is a heavily botoxed smile?

If only I could give my tantrum throwing, dinosaur pirate loving, crazed three-year-old daughter that glance when she’s screaming “I DO IT MYSELF” about securing herself into her car seat, forcing me to stand in the pouring rain and patiently wait.

What do you think? Who are your fav TV moms? Which shows are you most excited to see kicked off?? I have to admit, I loved the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy.

For more TV talk, celeb gossip, and other shenanigans, be sure to “Like” the WM FB page – otherwise you’re totally missing out!

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Moms on TV, Uncategorized

Summer Truths: Hopes & Dreams…or Reality

July 30, 2012

I had mixed feelings a few days ago when I first started to see the new Target “Back to School” commercials airing on TV. On some level, it felt like seeing Christmas decorations in October. Is it really already time for back-to-school ads? Isn’t it still just July?

At the same time, is it really JUST JULY….said the other part of my brain.

With a month left to go until schools start again, I’ve noticed some patterns have emerged. Much like we head into vacation with fantasies about what it will be like – you know, relaxing and spending some time together as a family…and then suddenly we are on “vacation” and realize it’s actually just job re-location….I had some pre-conceived notions of summer time possibilities and goals. I’ve also been surprised by some of my children’s habits.

I pretty much need to know I’m not alone.

Haven't read quite this many yet this summer

1. The eldest Wired Momma child’s goal was to read 90 books. I believed it was possible.

Reality: 24 have been read. Most of these on her own volition. I’ve lacked the discipline and structure to impose a mandatory learning time on her day – or let’s be honest – some vague sense of structure over the course of the week.

#Lazy

2. We were going to do writing and math homework every day.

Reality: Ummm…not so much. Again, this one falls on me. She’s only 6.

#NotATigerMom

3. I was going to take them on exciting adventures to explore DC.

Reality: Does moving and going to the pool pretty regularly count? We’ve gone no where. My big goal for this week is to get them to the zoo.

#NotParentoftheyear

4. Youngest WM was going to learn to write her name.

Reality: We haven’t practiced.

#StillNotTigerMom

#WhatIsWrongWithMe

The constant grazing drives me nuts.

5. My children are like cows. They eat all day long. Constantly. I swore this wasn’t going to happen. I threatened at each meal if they didn’t finish what was on their plates, they would get nothing until the next meal. I am full of shit. Feeding them drives me nuts. I have now declared the weekends a feeding-free zone. I just don’t do it. The second they start demanding anything, I walk away and let it be Mr. Wired Momma’s problem.

#StopEating!

What have you discovered this summer?

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Summer Survival with Kids, Uncategorized

Summer 2012: Chic Date Night on a Budget

July 23, 2012

Beautiful presentation of the yummy arctic char. Photo taken before I realized how heavenly the basil pistou gnocchi is.

Through the chaos of the move, I received a gift in the form of an email. A representative from the web site Restaurant.com reached out to me to introduce their site and ask me if I’d like to use it and go out to dinner.

Umm?

Moi? Eat?

Mais oui!

It was music to my ears – an excuse to head out for a nice dinner without my kids in the midst of life amongst boxes and moving trucks. No one was going to have to twist my arm or convince me to agree to it. Truth be told, I wasn’t familiar with Restaurant.com before she reached out. Turns out, this site works with over 18,000 restaurants nationwide and much like Open Table, you log on, search for the kind of restaurant you want, based in the zip code and then easily make your reservations online. We chose PS7’s in Penn Quarter and within 10 minutes of making my online reservation on the Restaurant.com site, I received not only an email confirming the reservation but an automated phone call confirming the reservation. I liked that attention to detail.

What distinguishes Restaurant.com from other sites is that you are purchasing a bargain and you can do it either for yourself or for someone in your family, all with the click of a button. For example, for $20, you can purchase a Restaurant.com gift card equal to $50 with the participating restaurants. Like any deal sites, however, there are fine print details that I urge you to read in advance. Two examples: alcohol cannot be used as part of the gift card and some days of the week are restrictive with participating restaurants (i.e. weekends). It’s always worth it to be a thorough consumer but moi loves to eat and moi loves a bargain in a chic place, so this was a perfect match from the start.

How was PS7’s, you wonder? Spoiler alert: we can’t wait to go again. Located just above the chaos and fray of Penn Quarter, at 7th and Eye Street, the interior of the restaurant is modern and chic. Parking is also easy despite this downtown location because there is a parking garage located next door. The service was exceptional, the chef sent out a delicious summer cocktail and the pastry chef brought out a beautiful pineapple upside down cake. The wait staff was attentive and so helpful. But it was the food…we were there to really eat and try out the menu and it’s criminal that someone didn’t just roll us down the street when we waddled out of there.

Ridiculously good appetizer. Now, I didn't eat that whole thing. But I didn't leave much either. Oink oink.

I started with the open-faced bread topped with the “Nutty Goat” – which included goat gouda cheese, arugula, walnut butter and toasted shallots (umm..yummm) while Mr. Wired Momma started with the 3 hot dog starters. By the time we were done with the first course, we begrudgingly admitted we were already getting full and we shouldn’t have eaten so much.

Then came the salad. Mr. Wired Momma chose the heirloom tomato salad – which he said

The warm spinach salad was heavenly. Trust moi. Oink oink

was delicious and looked so – and while it was a solid choice because now is the time to order the tomato salad – I mocked his choice because we can make something similar (though not as good) at home. I ordered the warm spinach salad – the house made dressing was warm, and the bacon pieces, cheese, mushrooms and crispy onion rings made this salad a home run. At this point, Mr. Wired Momma conceded that in a rare moment, I had made the slightly better food choices.

I relished this small victory. As we both finished off the delicious salads and wondered how in the world we could eat another course.

Then came the main course. I ordered the arctic char and Mr. Wired Momma ordered the smoked gnocchi with basil pistou and peas. I toyed with also ordering the gnocchi because of the basil pistou. We had one of the best meals of our lives in the South of France one summer (shocking, I know) because of the basil pistou in the soup. We still talk about that particular meal even though it was 5 years ago.

Sure enough, my arctic char was absolutely delicious but the gnocchi with the basil pistou was show stopping. It was exceptional. The combination of flavors and the texture of it left us only regretting that we’d already eaten so much because frankly, we are such pigs, we wanted to be able to eat more of the gnocchi.

But we just couldn’t. The madness had to stop.

Also noteworthy, PS7s has this really awesome summer menu option where you can order a summer picnic, centered around fried chicken, and they even set the table with a separate red and white check table cloth to fit the picnic theme. I loved that this modern, chic restaurant doesn’t take itself so seriously and instead offers its guests some kitschy summer fun. There was a table of 6 older adults who looked like they’d been great friends for about 40 years enjoying the picnic table option menu and I almost wanted to pull up a chair to their fun table too.

Our meal really was exceptional. We ate too much food. We drank a little more wine that we anticipated going in. We indulged. It was fabulous. And the best part was we indulged on a budget through Restaurant.com. Our bill totaled $145 but with the Restaurant.com gift card of $50, we came away with an exquisite meal for under $100 (I realize this isn’t necessarily budget friendly but we also don’t usually order three huge courses like that…we were celebrating our move and the house – so we indulged – could have spent quite a bit less). I will absolutely be using this site again and you better believe, I’ll be visiting PS7’s again. Maybe next time, we just don’t need to order quite so much food.

Oink Oink.

Disclosure: Restaurant.com compensated me for my meal at PS7’s, I didn’t disclose to the restaurant that I was there as a Restaurant.com guest. My opinions here are all my own.

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Date Night, Uncategorized