* American Express & McDonald’s.

Read the below story in the Chicago Times (Chicagotimes.com) late last night.

You do the math, Jeff Eats got something like 751,397 reward points-been saving for years to buy-me a certain Patek Philippe watch…so now-I’m going from Patek Philippe to Whoppers-I mean Big Macs.

Not sure where I’m going with this American Express-McDonald’s “thing”-but talk about cheapening a concept! Imagine, people will now be “saving” for Happy Meals…

All I know- is that Jeff Eats is gonna hold off on -spending sprees for right now…just might get lucky with American Express announcing a similar deal with Popeyes Chicken-then we’re talking!

*****
American Express says U.S. cardholders, who spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually at McDonald’s, should soon be able to use rewards points to pay for their Happy Meals, Big Macs and other food and beverages.

The credit card company and the Oak Brook-based fast-food chain have struck a partnership that will be unveiled Tuesday and is expected to be rolled out to all U.S. McDonald’s locations by December.

OPEN LINK
Here’s how it works: When diners swipe their American Express card on the PIN pad at the restaurant counter, they will see the option to use rewards points to pay for their meal, along with the number of points needed for the order. If customers press the green “yes” button to use points for the order, they’ll get an on-screen confirmation that points were used. No special codes, registration or apps are needed.

“Choose ‘yes,’ and you’ll be on your way with a cup of coffee,” said Dave Wolf, vice president of global product and business development for American Express. “If you say ‘no,’ your card will be charged as it has always been.”

Over the summer, American Express inked a similar deal with ride-sharing service Uber.

American Express and McDonald’s this week will debut the payment option in New York, and shortly thereafter, in Chicago, San Francisco and Phoenix. It is expected to be in all 14,000 U.S. McDonald’s by December, the card company said.

“Millions of card members pay with their American Express cards at McDonald’s, and this technology adds flexibility to that payment experience,” said Leslie Berland, executive vice president for digital partnerships for American Express.

At a McDonald’s drive-thru, after paying with an American Express card, consumers may retroactively use points for their meal orders through the American Express mobile app or on the card company’s website.

American Express said the McDonald’s point program will be promoted online, in restaurants and through emails, social media and mobile channels.

In the relationship between McDonald’s and American Express, one point will equal one penny, so a person who wants, say, a $1 cup of McDonald’s coffee would need 100 points, said Tracy Stockard, senior director for McDonald’s U.S. customer engagement and alliances.

McDonald’s, which has been struggling worldwide with declining sales, is looking for different ways to let customers pay for their meals at its 70,000 U.S. terminals.

Last month, McDonald’s became one of the biggest companies to sign on with Apple Pay, a new mobile payment system. Apple Pay users will place a finger on the new iPhones’ built-in Touch ID and hold the device near a scanner to pay.

American Express declined to say exactly how much its cardholders spend annually at U.S. McDonald’s.

* Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band.

Jeff Eats has seen Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band a number of times.

Ringo has been doing-this “thing” for years… that is, putting together a different band- of superstar musicians. The band is different every year and I gotta tell you, Ringo always kills it!. I loved all of the shows. Based on this year’s lineup, Ringo is gonna have another winner on his hands!

GOT SOMETHING REALLY- GOOD FOR YOU GUYS…

If you want to see this show, go to browardcenter.org and find the Ringo show- click on BUY TICKETS…enter Beatles50 in the OFFER CODE BOX and you’ll catch some pretty good tickets for 50 bucks with a $9 service fee. Trust Jeff Eats on this one, there is nothing cheaper- out there than this offer! By the way, the CODE expires on 10/17/2014.

October 21, 2014
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $55.00 – $150.00
Venue: Au-Rene Theater at Broward Center

The legendary Ringo Starr is hitting the road with his All Starr Band and coming to Fort Lauderdale. “All Starr” says it all with a lineup that not only features the former Beatle but also Steve Lukather (Toto), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Gregg Rolie (Santana, Journey), Todd Rundgren and Gregg Bissonette! Expect to hear the songs you know and love, including “With A Little Help From My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Octopus’ Garden,” “Photograph,” “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Wings,” “You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine) ” and much more

* Drink Tangerine Juice.

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite “drinks” is fresh squeezed tangerine juice.

Take a look at the below-article -Health Benefits of Tangerine Juice (juicebenefits.com)-I already knew the stuff was really good for me, but didn’t know that it was REALLY THAT GOOD for me!

Now, with tangerine season (November-April) nearing…Jeff Eats was thinking- just maybe, it wouldn’t hurt for you guys to plan on drinking an 8oz glass a day, could it? Just so we are straight, I got a “D” in junior high school biology- so if you go into diabetic shock or some other “shock” drinking this stuff- don’t-be suing Jeff Eats based on the claim that I’m some kind of a science/health expert!

By the way, Jeff Eats doesn’t “do” PASTEURIZED fresh squeezed tangerine juice…there are plenty of south Florida markets that have unpasteurized fresh squeezed tangerine juice. The reasons- 1. unpasteurized juice tastes better than the tinkered stuff- does, 2. pasteurizing cooks many of the nutrients out of the juice. Just so you know, don’t waste your time “looking” in Publix- EVERY juice it stocks is pasteurized…I usually catch mine at The Boys Farmers Market (Delray Beach) or Whole Foods Market.

One final thought, if you haven’t got time to go “chasing” around looking for unpasteurized fresh squeezed tangerine juice–you can always just buy some tangerines at your local supermarket and do whatever you want with them…
*****
Health Benefits of Tangerine Juice.

Aside from being sweet and flavorful, tangerine juice has many benefits for your health. In terms of nutritional value and disease-fighting properties, tangerine juice has several advantages over orange juice. From protecting you from diseases and cancer to keeping you fuller longer, this juice has a health benefit for nearly everyone.

Nutritional Value – The Source Of The Health Benefits Of Tangerine Juice
Tangerine juice has all of the tangy flavor of orange juice but with added nutrition. This juice is an excellent source of many antioxidants, such as hesperetin, xanthins, lutein, beta-carotene, and narigenin. Anti-oxidants eliminate free radicals that can cause cancer, as well as fight aging. The anti-oxidant beta cryptoxanthin may reduce inflammation from arthritis. Lutein protects the eyes and helps you keep your eyesight sharp. The flavenoid tangeretin is a powerful agent that has been shown in studies to prevent skin cancer and helps stop the spread of breast-cancer cells. The flavonoids tangeretin and nobiletin have blood thinning and anti-inflammatory properties, which may reduce your risk of heart attacks.

Additionally, tangerine juice is chock-full of vitamin C, which boosts your immunity. Consuming adequate amounts of vitamin C helps your body fight infections from the common cold to the flu. In addition to helping increase your immune function, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, and helps boost wound healing.

Tangerine juice contains folic acid and potassium, and it is also an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which promotes regularity. Being regular has been proven to reduce your risk for developing some forms of cancer, such as colon cancer. The fiber also helps prevent your body from absorbing cholesterol. Fiber whisks some of the cholesterol content from your food out of your system, which can lower your blood levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.

One serving of tangerine juice provides 20-percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. This is 10-times as much vitamin A as orange juice. Vitamin A is instrumental in protecting your eyesight, promoting immune function and bone and tissue health. The vitamin A in tangerine juice may also stimulate cell growth and cell division.

Antiseptic Properties
Tangerines have natural germ-fighting properties. Tangerine juice may help your body defend itself against an infection from the staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is highly contagious and causes painful lesions and boils on the skin, particularly on the face or in other tender areas such as the groin or the armpits.

In addition to fighting harmful bacteria, the pectin in tangerine juice has been proven to help increase the number of beneficial bacteria in your intestines. These bacteria improve digestion and increases your body’s ability to defend against harmful bacteria which can cause inflammation and intestinal disorders. When harmful bacteria enter the gut, beneficial bacteria help usher the bad bacteria out of your system before they can cause an infection.

Diet Support
Tangerine juice is an excellent way to start your day if you are dieting. The fiber and carbohydrates in the juice help keep you feeling full, which will prevent over-indulgence later on. Additionally, the sweet finish of the tangerine flavor can help prevent the cravings for sugar that can derail a diet.

Starting your day with tangerine juice is a tasty and healthy way to boost your immunity, bolster your digestive and tissue health and protect your body against the ravages of cancer. Tangerine juice is powerful enough to do all of those things, yet it is so tangy-sweet and flavorful that you will forget all about its many health benefits and simply enjoy the flavor.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday-10/12/14).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

ITALIAN ICES
$2.50+

Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices
19726 Wiles Road
Coral Springs
(954) 753-2727
ceciliesices.com
Latest Review: 3/17/13

No bs-ing here…every time I go to Cecilie’s I get agita-the joint has so many amazingly delicious home made water/cream ices- that I get agita- trying to decide which ones to get.
Trust Jeff Eats, before you fork over your $2.50+, you’ll get agita too!

* One Night of Queen.

Jeff Eats has seen this show…you’ll swear that-Freddie Mercury is up on that stage.
*****
One Night of Queen
Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Performed by Gary Mullen and the Works
March 20, 2015 | 8:00pm
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! coralspringscenterforthearts.com

Gobo Productions proudly presents One Night of Queen.

Formed in 2000 after Gary Mullen won ITV’s ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ grand final with a record poll of 864,838 votes, more than double the runner up and the most votes ever received in the history of the show.

Along with his band ‘The Works’, Gary delivers the look, the sound, the pomp and the showmanship of arguably the greatest live band of all time.

Over the last decade One Night of Queen has toured non-stop around the world, performing at theatres, arenas and festivals to sell-out crowds in the UK, Germany, France, Holland, USA, New Zealand and South Africa.

They have entertained many corporate clients from McDonalds to Audi to SAP.

One Night of Queen have been invited twice to perform at the BBC ‘Proms In The Park’ event in Hyde Park, London … alongside Andrea Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins and Las Vegas legend Barry Manilow. Being described as “the highlight of the day” and receiving rapturous applause from 45,000 fans, cemented their reputation as being “much more than a tribute”.

The show provides hit after hit of Queen’s ‘never-to-die’ anthems including: We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, A Kind Of Magic, I Want To Break Free and We Are The Champions.

So get ready to be upstanding and join us in a nostalgic return to Queen’s heyday. We Will, We Will Rock You!

* Delray Square Performing Arts.

Last “season” Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats caught a couple of Delray Square Performing Arts’ shows-and had a great time. Now- I know that the intersection of Atlantic Avenue & Military Trail isn’t exactly Broadway & 43rd Street…but trust me, Delray Square Performing Arts’ top-notch actors, super reasonable ticket prices and “every seat is great” theater- will have you looking forward to seeing its productions.

Delray Square Performing Arts’ “2014-2015” schedule is printed above.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are planning on seeing all 3-shows.

One last thing, a number of years ago Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats caught– Sophie, Totie & Belle off-Broadway and I gotta tell you, it is a real pisser-of-a-show…We are really looking forward to seeing it again!

Tapestry: A Tribute To Carole King.

First told you guys about this show on 9/12/14…

Hearing that there are a handful of tickets still available.

If you are a fan of Carole King, you’ll love Tapestry: A Tribute To Carole King.
*****
September 12, 2014
Tapestry: A Tribute To Carole King.

If you are a fan of legendary music genius-Carole King…go see Tapestry: A Tribute To Carole King!

Trust Jeff Eats on this one…this “tribute” show will absolutely blow you away and have you “believing” that Carole King is right in front of you!

Jeff Eats is thinking that most of you guys know that-one of Broadway’s hottest shows is “Beautiful The Carole King Musical”–no bs-ing here, the Tapestry show plays at the same level.

You can catch tickets by calling (561) 859-0846 or online at fau.edu, poprockdoowopp.com.
*****

Date: October 18, 2014
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Venue: FAU-Carole & Barry Kaye Aud. Boca Raton, Florida
A “beautiful” re-creation of her timeless hits by the live vocalists and musicians of Tapestry, direct from California in their only east coast appearance this season!

Carole King is without question the most successful and revered female singer-songwriter in pop music history. More than 400 of her compositions have been recorded by over 1000 artists, resulting in 100 hit singles — from “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, “Take Good Care of My Baby”, “Run to Him”, “Crying in the Rain”, “The Loco-Motion”, “Up on the Roof”, “One Fine Day”, “I’m Into Something Good”, “Just Once in My Life” and “Don’t Bring Me Down”. Her 1971 album “Tapestry” took King to the pinnacle, winning all 3 of the key Grammy Awards — record, song and album of the year as well as best female vocalist honors for King. With more than 25 million units sold, Tapestry remained the best-selling album by a female artist for a quarter century and King went on to amass three other platinum and seven gold albums.

Tapestry: Tribute to Carole King faithfully recreates the glorious sound of a live Carole King concert, leaving you with memories of the great music she wrote and recorded, including “You’ve Got a Friend”, “Natural Woman”, “It’s Too Late”, “So Far Away”, “I Feel the Earth Move” and “Beautiful”, the title song of the mega-hit Broadway musical about the life and times of one of America’s most prolific, honored, and revered singer-songwriters. Enjoy an evening of the signature sounds of Ms. King with this must-see show that everyone calls “Some Kind of Wonderful.”

* Thomas’ English Muffins & Bagels.

For as long as Jeff Eats can remember, I have been a huge fan of Thomas’ Original English Muffins… To help refresh your collective recollections… “The Original Nooks & Crannies English Muffin which toasts up crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.”

Nothing for nothing,

It would be absolute lunacy for Jeff Eats to try and count the number of toasted/buttered-strawberry jellied Thomas’ Original English Muffins I’ve downed over the years…but trust me, it’s a boatload (hey come on, this is a family read blog!).

Anyway, to make a long story short…

The other day Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were in our local Publix and it was “running” a buy-one-get-one promotion on various Thomas’ products. We caught 2 packages of 6-Thomas’ Original English Muffins… and for good measure, decided to try for the-first time Thomas’ bagels- picking up a 6- Everything package and a 6- Plain package.

Now, stay with me- Do you guys remember October 5, 1988 when at the Vice President Debate- Senator Llyod Bentsen turned to Senator Dan Qualye and said, “I served with Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”?-Well, all I can tell you, is that Thomas’ should stick to the English Muffin business. The bagels were LOUSY… think- soft mushy white bread shaped like a bagel and you’ll be on the right page. Jeff Eats knows his-bagels…and the Everything and the Plain- toasted or untoasted are no Jack Kennedy (took awhile, but I got you there, didn’t I?).

So,

Today’s lesson:

Jeff Eats loves Thomas’ Original English Muffins and has negative feelings about Thomas’ Everything and Plain Bagels!

* Lisa Lampanelli.

Jeff Eats has seen her…she is amazingly funny.

I don’t know about you, but I think that everybody’s- Comedy Bucket List- must include seeing Lisa Lampanelli-at least 1-time LIVE!

She is as blue as blue can be. Like I said 2-seconds ago, amazingly funny.

For those of you not into “blue”–look at Lampanelli this way…since this is a Bucket List-you’ll probably only have time to sit through her show once, anyway!

Here’s the skinny…

Lisa Lampanelli
Ticket Price: $35.00
Purchase Tickets Online: palmbeachimprov.com.
Show Type: Stand Up
Tags: Stand Up Comedy, Mainstream
Restrictions: 18 & over
Two drink minimum
All showtimes are subject to change
Select Show: Select Thu, January 15, 2015 8:00 PM Fri, January 16, 2015 8:00 PM Fri, January 16, 2015 10:30 PM Sat, January 17, 2015 7:00 PM Sat, January 17, 2015 9:45 PM Sun, January 18, 2015 7:00 PM
Lisa Lampanelli:
Lisa Lampanelli is Comedy’s Lovable Queen of Mean. Heralded as “more than a standup — a standout,” by comedy legend Jim Carrey, Lampanelli is a cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker, and a vial of estrogen. She even won accolades from The King of All Media Howard Stern, who called her “a true original and a brilliant comedy mind who’ll steal the show every time.” This equal opportunity offender is a regular on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and Howard Stern’s Sirius satellite radio shows. She recently joined the ranks of comic greats and added her first ever one-hour HBO comedy special, “Long Live the Queen,” to her resume, with a CD and DVD of the special to follow. In addition, her first book, “Chocolate, Please: My Adventures in Food, Fat and Freaks,” will hit bookstore shelves on September 15, 2009. Lisa’s rise to the top of the comedy food chain began in 2002 when she was the only female comedian invited to skewer Chevy Chase on the NY Friars Club Roast on Comedy Central. She soon became one of the few white comedians to perform on BET’s “Comic View,” cementing her huge crossover appeal. A year later, she rocked Comedy Central once again in her back-to-back appearances on “Premium Blend” and on the enormously rated “Roast of Jeff Foxworthy” — again, the only female invited to roast the man of honor. Lisa appeared on Comedy Central’s “Last Laugh 2005” and her headlining performances on the Comedy Central roasts of Pamela Anderson and William Shatner, among others, received national attention. Lisa’s 2005 one-hour special, “Take It Like a Man,” was a hit with the comedy network yet again, and the CD and the DVD of the same name hit #6 on the comedy charts. Then, in January 2007, Lisa’s second one-hour special, “Dirty Girl,” debuted on Comedy Central and Warner Bros. Records, and reached #4 on the charts. Soon thereafter, “Dirty Girl” was nominated for a Grammy Award for 2007’s Best Comedy Album of the Year. Lisa has also taped several specials for VH1, MTV, and CMT, and was featured on the “Best of” episode of Comedy Central’s “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn.” Known for saying things that most people are afraid to think, Lisa Lampanelli’s raunchy, gut-busting performances are wildly popular at theaters across the U.S. and Canada. Lisa appeared in “Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector” and had a featured role in “Delta Farce,” opposite Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy, and D.J. Quall. She also starred in the feature film, “The Aristocrats” and, most recently, played a more maternal version of herself in the Owen Wilson vehicle, “Drillbit Taylor.” She is currently developing a pilot for a weekly series on HBO with executive producers Jim Carrey and Kario Salem.

* Dan Naturman–Like I Don’t Have A Crystal Ball, Or What!

Way back on August 12, 2014 Jeff Eats ran the below- “story” about Dan Naturman.

To make a long story short, comedian Dan Naturman will be appearing at the Palm Beach Improv (West Palm Beach) on Thursday 10/30, Friday 10/31, Saturday 11/1, & Sunday 11/2…tickets at palmbeachimprov.com are fetching 17 bucks. IF YOU WANT TO SEE NATURMAN–BE SMART AND IMMEDIATELY GO TO- goldstar.com (the discount ticket company Jeff Eats told you about on 8/26/14). …right now its got a handful of complimentary-tickets and a bunch of those $17 tickets priced at 7 bucks a piece.

Like I Don’t Have A Crystal Ball, Or What!
____
August 12, 2014

* Dan Naturman.

The guy is in the “final rounds” of this year’s America’s Got Talent” tv show.

Nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats’ gut says Naturman ain’t gonna win…not that he shouldn’t, but this year just ain’t the year for an absolutely hilarious-brilliant NYC Jewish comedian to win the $1,000,000.00 and get his own Las Vegas Showroom Show. You guys do know that besides being a TALENT SHOW-America’s Got Talent is also a REALITY SHOW–so being brilliant and hilarious sometimes isn’t quite strong enough to bring home the bacon. Now, if Naturman was also a blind paraplegic who had been raised by wolves in Tijuana, Mexico…this story would have a whole different ending.

To make a long story short…

After America’s Got Talent’s season ends…

Jeff Eats expects comedy clubs, condos, country clubs-to be booking Dan Naturman like crazy for 2014-2015…Just because Dan didn’t win, doesn’t mean he isn’t hilarious-brilliant. You guys do remember comedian Tom Cotter who came in second to some dog-act…Tom’s been working pretty steady ever since the loss!

Be smart, go and see THE GUY who should have won 2014’s America’s Got Talent show…when he “hits” South Florida–and Jeff Eats will eat my hat if he doesn’t!

Finally, if Dan Naturman happens to win America’s Got Talent–please forget everything that I wrote above.

You can checkout Dan Naturman at dannaturman.com.