Photo by the Associated Press. While in Italy earlier this month, my husband and I cancelled our trip to Naples and headed instead to the north from Rome. We’d been going to visit the southern region mostly because we wanted to see Mt. Vesuvius and tour the wineries in Campania, where one of my … Read more
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images National League East 1. New York Mets Johan Santana pitching in huge Shea Stadium without a DH in the opposing lineup sounds like a recipe for 20-25 wins. Depth and quality in middle relief will allow Pedro Martinez to become a dominant 6 inning #2 starter (if manager Willie Randolph … Read more
I’ve spent the last year or so lauding the Dakota at every chance I get, but I have to admit that, until this week, I had never just gone there on faith, without first checking to see who was playing. The beauty of the Dakota, though, is its consistency. Go there any night, for any … Read more
I’m from Chicago. Chicagoans are different than Minnesotans. Everyone is different than Minnesotans. OK, everyone is different than everyone, but I live in Minnesota now, so Minnesota is what I think about. When you move to Minnesota, everyone warns you about the passive-aggressive thing. So, you nod and think that you’re prepared. But you’re not … Read more
Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) Game #70, Road Game #34: Minnesota 86, Houston 97 Season Record: 18-52 1. Stubborn Smallball Let the record show that Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes tied for the "best" plus/margin (-4) among the 9 Wolves who played in tonight’s 11-point loss to Houston, that Luis … Read more
WINE & DINEDinner with The Rake Join us tonight for a Dinner Party at Via’s Cafe. Meet Ann Bauer and Jeremy Iggers, as well as other Rake staff and readers, and enjoy a wonderful meal of warm cheese, apricot chutney, roasted garlic, braised baby artichoke salad, organic garden greens, smoked coffee-rubbed Kobe beef brisket, fingerling … Read more
Everywhere Signs Fallis about a brother and sister who travel around the country investigatingaccidents. They interview and record people who have experienced accidents thathave changed them somehow, then they pack up and head to the next town. Whenthe play begins, we see Juliet and Jeremy interviewing a down-on-his-luckbartender in a hot, seedy motel room in … Read more
This is pretty short notice, but the Bedlam Theatre’s Jim Bueche reports that today is Smyngus Dingus, a famous Polish holiday. "It traditionally is a courting holiday" says Bueche; "a young man would ask the mother of a girl he fancied for access to their home in the early morning. If access was granted he … Read more
Recently, I saw The Syringa Tree at the Jungle Theatre and then two days later I saw 9 Parts of Desire at the Guthrie. Both shows designed and directed by Joel Sass. When I sat watching The Syringa Tree I forgot that Sarah Agnew was performing the text playwright/actor Pamela Gien had written to perform … Read more
Girls, ya’ll got oneA night that’s special everywhereFrom New York to HollywoodIt’s ladies night, and girl, that feeling’s good Oh, yes, it’s ladies nightand the feeling’s rightOh, yes, it’s ladies nightOh, what a night Nothing like starting out with a little Kool & the Gang, eh? (I’ll bet you thought I was going to say … Read more