I hope my friends in the Northeast were able to enjoy this weekend’s snowstorm. And for those in a warmer climate..no need to share your weather report, as we’ve got over a month to go with the cold stuff.  Enjoy your week everyone!

Share your winter fun picts with everyone by sending them to me at Angela@AngelasClues.com – subject “winter”.

Downton Abbey..yeah, you could say I’m hooked. Which is why on Wednesday night I was in my TV glory.

I sat with a lucky bunch of NYC fans, to view a special screening of the popular PBS British-American series, followed up by Q & A with a bevy of the actors from Downton. Who knew how hip Mr. Carson (played by Jim Carter) was in real life or how sincere Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) was? Going into season 3, they’re a somewhat modest bunch that seem to be soaking in the show’s success.

Thank you PBS for including me at such an event and a HUGE thank you to Julian Fellowes for writing every single episode of such a quality program..which is what PBS is all about.

So if you’re a fan, what is it that draws you into Downton Abbey?

I made some new friends last night (oh hello, Jason Mraz) at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC) where Ellen DeGeneres was awarded The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor .

DeGeneres joked “Thanks to everyone at PBS. I am so happy to be part of your farewell season,” taking a slight jab at Mitt Romney’s plan to halt the fed’s funding of PBS.

I would like to think Ellen & I would be good friends. We both believe in the importance of humor, we both want to use tv to spread the idea of ”being kind” to your neighbor and we both support pbs.

CREDIT:Alex Brandon/AP

Congrats to Ellen on her prestigious Mark Twain prize and special thanks to Exec Producer, Exec VP & Chief Programming Officer of WETA, Dalton Delan, for inviting me!  It was an amazing night!

[Tune into PBS to watch this event on Oct. 30 on PBS stations]

I’m giving away an over sized (largest character: 18.5″ x 27″) set of Super Why reusable wall decals this week, Sunday 8/26- Friday 8/31 to celebrate our super readers incredible job with their reading all summer long.

Decals are made of heavy-duty vinyl and are for use on smooth, flat surfaces. Includes 4 large Super Why! characters (largest measures 18.5″ wide x 27″ high), 1 “Super Why!” logo, and 1 light switch decoration. Made to move, these peel and stick clings come off the wall just as easily as they go on. Decorate for your party, & then let your child redecorate their bedroom with no worries!

 To ENTER contest, simply:

1) “LIKE” the Angela’s Clues Facebook fanpage (if you’ve already “Liked” us simply continue with steps #2 & #3)

2) click on the “Super Why! SUMMER READER GIVEAWAY” 8/26 Post on the Angela’s Clues fanpage

3) Add a comment about your child’s favorite summer book under this post

~ BONUS ~ If you Tweet about the Super Why! SUMMER READER GIVEAWAY it’ll double your chances to win, as we will enter your submission twice for this contest

 Contest ends midnight on Friday 8/31 & a randomly drawn winner will be announced on Saturday.

Contest Terms

If you happen to be in NYC August 10-26th head on downtown for unique & inspiring (off, off B’way) theater. Celebrating it’s 16th year, the New York International Fringe Festival is the largest multi-arts festival in North America, with more than 200 companies from all over the world performing for 16 days in more than 20 venues.

While there’s also a Fringe Jr, for younger children,  FringeNYC is mostly adult theater. FYI..our friend, soprano Daniele Hager, will be in “The Hills Are Alive” at Fringe NYC. It follows the story of the prominent musical, in a most unique style..a perfect fit for the festival!

New York International Fringe Festival is 1 of NY’s finest display of raw, creative theater that you won’t find elsewhere!

I’ve been a contributor to web-land for only about a year and a half, but I’ve met so many wonderful people with amazing stories and strong voices. Kathy Radigan (from My Dishwasher’s Possessed) and Val Curtis (from Mental Chew) are two women from within such a talent pool.

On July 16, 2012, they launched the premiere issue of their weekly magazine, Bonbon Break..because every mama needs one. I’m honored that they’ve asked me to be a regular contributor among such a strong team of writers and moms.

Check it out when you happen to find a nice break for yourself.

~Angela