If you are puzzled by the financial reports both domestically and internationally, do yourself a favor and buy, rent or borrow Michael Lewis’ engaging book “Boomerang.” He will explain it all for you, making economics surprisingly…. entertaining. Granted this is the same author that has brought us numerous books including “Moneyball” so he knows how to hook our interest and cogently explain complex issues. Now when you hear about the financial troubles in Iceland, Ireland and Greece, you will shake your head with a knowing look that registers both humor and horror.
Boomerang: world economics 101
February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Andrew Bird: Music Original
February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Andrew Bird, referred to by some as a Chicago troubadour, continues to fly pretty far afield, both musically and geographically. When the Paradiso in Amsterdam, a sold-out show at the Barbican Centre in London, Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and Carnegie Hall in New York are on your tour schedule, you know an artist has hit a chord with the international listening crowd. I can’t get enough of this Northwestern grad’s inventive and infectious music. Check out these youtube clips and Bird’s web site so you can have your own Bird sighting and sounding.
Andrew Bird in “Imitosis” from the 2007 release “Armchair Apocrypha”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnXCzFnkxtY
Live at Bonnaroo in “A Nervous Tic Motion”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRk2iHkOcNE
“Plasticities,” an intriguing video with Bird’s music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7FRMcxbdC8
His web site: http://www.andrewbird.net/news/index.php
Breakfast Beat: Pannenkoeken
February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I am always on the look-out for interesting morning comestibles. Pannenkoeken Cafe, a tiny venue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood offer up Dutch pancakes as their specialty. I had a vegetarian option that allowed me three choices out of asparagus, broccoli, mushroom, spinach, onion, green pepper, red pepper, and tomato. My plate arrived with the vegetables arranged in such a painterly fashion that I was loathe to take fork and knife to the plate-sized creamy crepe. Good thing I did because it was delicious. The cafe serves a good selection of breakfast fare including omelets, French toast and regular buttermilk pancakes, but make sure someone at the table orders a sweet or savory “pannenkoeken.” You won’t be sorry. The cafe, technically part of the Lincoln Square mall, has an entrance on Western however. What is “bon appetit” in Dutch?
Pannenkoeken Cafe (in Lincoln Square)
4757 N Western
Chicago, IL 60625
773-769-8800
http://www.pannenkoekencafe.com/Home_Page.html
Hours: Mon-Fri (7am-2pm) and Sat & Sun (8am-2pm)
“Louie” on FX Network
February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
“Louie” a raunchy but brilliant series on FX breaks new ground in allowing one man to star, write, direct and even edit his own show. You feel like you are watching someone’s life in vignettes captured on their smart phone, especially amusing since that man is a comedian, a father and a recently divorced and somewhat dusty product on the dating shelf. I have found myself guffawing at some of the scenes and then reproving myself for laughing at such naughtiness. More, please. Season One is available on netflix instant streaming.
Jack LaLanne, Fitness King and SINGER!
December 29, 2011 By 1 Comment
A few years back, I was hired to play the piano for a private party at The Everest Room. I was told that the event was for a celebrity exercise guru. Erroneously, I assumed it would be Richard Simmons.
Imagine my surprise when I arrived to find Jack LaLanne the guest of honor with his decades-long wife Elaine LaLanne. The company marketing his juicer was throwing a bash for Mr. Fitness. My father used to exercise every morning to Mr. LaLanne’s TV show so I was suitably impressed to meet him. One of the hosts asked if I would be amenable to accompanying Jack on a couple of songs. “Certainly,” I replied.
Knock me over with a feather, this guy could really sing, rendering top notch renditions of “If You Were the Only Girl In the World” and “I Believe.” He could have been on Broadway! His wife also sang a number, making them the cutest couple I had met in quite some time. Hearing of his recent passing brought back this indelible memory as I silently wished him well in that great big gymnasium in the sky.
Bistronomics
December 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I recently had a delicious lunch at Bistronomics, a cozy restaurant in the Rush Street area, owned by stellar French chef Martial Noguier who used to helm the Pump Room kitchen when I was there. This makes a wonderful addition to the restaurant choices in walking distance of Water Tower Place. A Chioggia Beet Salad with white truffle oil, hazelnut vinaigrette and capriole goat cheese was the perfect starter along with a cauliflower veloute with brioche croutons, creme fraiche and shavings of Pleasant Ridge cheese. The “everyday brunch” selections have a French flair, but Noguier tips his beret to American cuisine and Chicago in particular. The Gold Coast salad boasts ingredients of lobster, fennel, French beans and beets. Housemade gnocchis, raviolis and pastas lend a whiff of Italian cuisine.
Chocolate hazelnut bars capped the meal with their bittersweet chocolate mousse, crispy praline and orange sauce. Bistronomics has cheese flights from “less than 300 miles” and “more than 300 miles” if you’re in the mood for a dairy dessert. I can’t wait to go back for a dinner of filet of beef au poivre with carmelized endives and cognac sauce with a white bean cassoulet side. Zut, alors! 
Hugo in 3D
December 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I see very few movies in theaters these days, but Martin Scorsese’s movie, “Hugo” in 3D may have drawn me back to the group viewing experience. Wow. What a visual difference the glasses make! 
The movie is based on a popular book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” about an orphan who sets the clocks in a Paris train station. The boy’s story line may be fiction, but the character arc of Georges Melies, one of the pioneers of film is based on real fact. He was given a career retrospective at Salle Pleyel in Paris after having spent years in virtual eclipse running a toy and candy shop.
I was engaged with the story, but the use of three dimensional imaging was the real delight for me. A vicious Doberman feels like he is in front of your face. When Hugo is on a high ledge, I felt vertigo. Paris panoramas make you feel you are looking out a window with the incredible sensation of depth. Trailers for 3D versions of “Titanic,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Star Wars” whetted my appetite for more three dimensional viewing. Can “Blade Runner” in 3D be far behind?!
Generation Kill
December 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Now that we’ve militarily pulled out of Iraq, many people have been reviewing the last nine years. Look no further than HBO’s incisive production, “Generation Kill,” a seven episode series based on the experiences of Rolling Stone’s writer Evan Wright who was embedded with a group of U. S. Marines at the onset of the Iraqi invasion. Several of the actors are known for other popular TV programs: Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood), Jon Huertas (Castle), Lee Tergesen (Oz). Like the Oscar-winning war film “The Hurt Locker” directed by Kathryn Bigelow, “Generation Kill” is also directed by a woman, Susanna White. 
Of particular note is Rudy Reyes, an honest to God Marine who plays himself in the series. Please, someone cast him in something else. We need to see more of him.
Contempo presents Hiromi at Harris Theater
December 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
It was with real pleasure that I attended Contempo’s double-bill concert at Harris Theater last November 15, 2011. The always wonderful chamber music group Eighth Blackbird was featured in the first half along with the Pacifica Quartet, Anima and pianist Amy Briggs, but it was the second half of the concert featuring Japanese jazz pianist Hiromi that brought out a very young hipster crowd to sit with the regular new modern classical music aficionados.
You knew immediately that this was not to be a sedate performance as the petite piano dynamo bounced out on stage in her red shoes and wild hair sprouting from a top of the head ponytail. She was joined by the estimable skills of electric bass player Anthony Jackson (sideman to Chick Corea, Paul Simon, Sadao Watanabe, Pat Metheny, et. al.) and British drummer Simon Phillips (of Toto, Judas Priest, The Who, etc.) in what was called “The Trio Project.” This music was a wonderful stew of jazz chords, improvisation with injections of classical, rock and world music. All three players were musically inventive with an energy that literally drove the audience to their feet. Hiromi is currently playing a lot of material from her 2011 recording “Voice.” Check her out on youtube or itunes. Happy listening!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/voice-feat.-anthony-jackson/id440923034
Chipotle Pumpkin Salsa
November 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Snap up this seasonal delight before it disappears from grocery shelves.
Rick Bayless’ Frontera brand has devised a delicious recipe, Chipotle Pumpkin Salsa in a limited edition. The salsa is good with any Mexican dish, but I eat mine straight up with Ak Mak sesame crackers and raw vegetables. This stuff is addictive so do yourself a favor and buy at least two jars, if not more. I found mine at Treasure Island, but I hear tell it is available at Costco, too. Look for additional on-line sales sites or bricks and mortar venues to find your autumnal treat.
http://www.fronterafiesta.com/discuss/344-frontera-chipotle-pumpkin-salsa-on-good-morning-america.html