A BLOG

3 RESTAURANTS, 2 MOVIES, 1 BOOK, 1 PLAY, & A MARKET

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:39:22 -0400

As I head off for a week at the beach in NC and another few days accompanying my daughter on her move to Miami, I leave you with a round up of various ‘Escapes and Pleasures’ enjoyed over the last several weeks.

First, in case you don’t get much further than this second paragraph: If you are in or near NYC, do whatever you can to see the play Jerusalem with Mark Rylance this weekend. The final performance is Sunday, Aug. 21 at 3 PM. Rylance gives not only the single best performance I have seen this year but perhaps one of the very best I have seen in many years. And if you can get a seat up close, watch his eyes. He acts with his entire body and mind. And the play itself is worthy even tho Rylance dominates. Get thee to the theater.

(If you miss(ed) Jerusalemin NYC, it will return to London for an Oct.’11 - Jan.’12 run.)

Second, two movies. The final Harry Potter movie and the new Woody Allen film are both good, if you like those sorts of things.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which you can see with or without 3-D, was a fitting conclusion to a series of wonderful reads and an era of books and movies that transfixed not only a generation of young readers but a much wider audience as well. I never have understood all the ups and downs, allusions, illusions, etc., but if you like Harry Potter and his friends, you won’t be disappointed by his final romp with his playmates and enemies.

For lots of reasons, I’ve turned away from Woody Allen and his films in the past few years. But he makes a bit of a comeback in my mind with his Midnight in Paris. It is a pleasant hour and a half, tho probably nothing you need to hurt yourself for if you miss it. For those of you who are New Yorker magazine fans, you may remember many years ago Allen wrote a short story entitled The Kugelemass Episode, an intriguing little piece about a Hunter College (?) English professor who found himself transported into the middle of Madam Bovary, which he was teaching. In Midnight in Paris, Allen expands on this idea, and for the most part it works pretty well.

Third, a book (actually I listened to this on CD on a recent trip to and from DC-NYC) worthy of your attention: Half the Sky by Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.

I’v had this book on my ‘to read’ list evey since it was published in 2010 but never seemed to get around to it, perhaps because I thought it might be too much of a polemic.

Not so.

There are so many wonderful things about what Kristof and WuDunn have done as they make the case for what they call the moral outrage and challenge of our time.

They mix mind staggering statistics with individual stories of women and the struggles they face throughout the world.

And unlike most books that describe situations that need correction, they offer specific suggestions and give the reader a wide range of actions we can all take immediately.

Initially I thought all young women should read/listen to Half the Sky and that it would make a wonderful assignment for high school and college collective reading. But it is a book for both genders and folks of all ages.

Two reviews to give you some sense of it:

Bill Gates, Sr.: Click Here.

The Guardian: Click Here.

Fourth, three restaurants also worthy of your attention:

11 Madison Park - If terrific food is your objective and money is not a concern, try the tasting menu at this award winning restaurant. Not every dish is superb, but many are. And the restaurant deserves to be considered among the best in NYC.

Ai Fiori - Also in NYC, a recent lunch here was quite satisfying and there was a bit of money left over for the kids’ inheritance (unlike the restaurant above).

Seasonal Pantry (& Specialty Grocery Store), 1314 1/2 St. NW - If you live in DC, or plan to be there, you might consider this new ‘restaurant.’ I put the word ‘restaurant’ in quotes because it is not what you think of as a traditional eating place. It is only ‘open’ for dinner Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights; it only serves 10-12 people each night. And the young chef, Daniel O’Brien, focuses on the freshest of local ingredients and walks you through each course with the pride of a young father.

And the price is reasonable too.

We went with a group of ‘foodies’ from my wife’s office, and we’ve quickly reserved the entire table for a night in October. Check it out before it becomes impossible to get a reservation.

Check out this review: Click Here.

Finally, Eataly, a market, of sorts.

Thanx to good parenting from my father, I have learned to love markets of all kinds. In fact, I can modestly say that I’ve been to markets in at least 50 countries around the world. Whenever we’re traveling somewhere, one of the first things I look for are the local markets.

Most of these markets are outdoors and sometimes under a covered shelter of some sort. But there are also markets that are indoors and quite upscale.

Eataly, in NYC at 23rd & 5th, fits into the later category, and on your next trip to the big city, carve out a couple of hours to spend wandering the aisles, picking up items you never knew you needed, and enjoying one of the excellent no reservations six (?) Italian eateries in the 40,000 square foot space.

For those of you who don’t get to NYC, there is an Eataly coming to Washington, DC, reportedly in 2012, although at this writing a site has not been chosen, or at least not announced. And one is coming to LA for you west coast folks.

I can’t wait for the DC one.

THE BEST FATHER’S DAY PRESENT EVER...

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 10:26:46 -0400

So this year my wife Ellen decided I needed an apron for Father's Day (probably because she’s giving up on trying to wardrobe me). Therefore, she arranged a private cooking lesson with one of DC's best chefs.
And yesterday was the day.
Ellen and I, along with longtime friends Anita and Matt, went to the home of Roberto Donna for a four-hour 'participatory' cooking lesson.
Our only two requests were that we learn the proper way to cook risotto and that we wanted to concentrate on seafood. We were told to bring wine and be prepared to eat what we cooked.
Do I need to tell you that this was the most memorable Father's Day gift I've ever received ? (Tho with my aging memory, I can't be sure it was the absolute best.)
For four hours we chopped, diced, and mostly 'assisted' Roberto (and his helper Daniel) in preparing a five course meal that the four of us will long remember.

I'll spare you the delicious details other than to report that we had scallops, lobster risotto, pasta with crab, salt baked fish, and ended with a lemon, vanilla ice cream & strawberry dessert.
We limited ourselves to two bottles of wine since we began the lesson at 11 AM and the knives were very sharp.
The best part of the four hours was simply being with Roberto in his home kitchen (a very simple kitchen), watching him prepare the various dishes, and mostly being able to just talk with him about cooking, about his restaurant, about himself.
I don't know what he may be like to work for in his restaurant, but certainly the memory we'll keep is of a wonderful four hours with a chef who was not only skilled and passionate at everything related to cooking but also an individual who seemed to love sharing those skills and passions with strangers.
And yes, we learned how to make risotto. So if you come to our house for dinner, we'll make it for you, wearing the aprons that Roberto signed as we ended our meal chatting about the lesson and about his passion and knowledge of food and cooking.

TWO FILMS AND A BOOK...

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:05:04 -0400

Two films and a book that I think are all worthy of your attention.

(Note: I’m not sure if I’ve ever stated before that I generally only recommend or post about books, movies, and plays that I have enjoyed, and thus my rating of *** to ***** stars. If something has not been very good, in my humble opinion, I simply don’t post about it.

Also, I do my best not to reveal the outcome of the films or books.)

The Films

A Better Life ****

Usually films such as this one are only shown in small theaters, for limited runs. I’m not sure how A Better Life made it into the major theaters, but I’m glad it did, tho I fear it might not remain around too long.

It is the story of Carlos, an illegal immigrant, who tries to give his son a better life. Set in East LA, the film is a good portrayal both of an immigrant’s life and of the struggle of a father to pass on his values to his son.

This film reminded me a bit of Winter’s Bones, perhaps not quite as good but still good enough to take us into a world most of us don’t know.

Crime After Crime *****

At the moment, this film is only in about 15 cities, and then mostly in the smaller theaters. Keep your eyes out for it and catch it when it comes to your city.

The film is a documentary of the efforts of two ‘do-gooders’ to help an abused woman who has served many years in prison for a crime she committed -- in an attempt to get free from her abuser.

It is true.

It is spell binding.

And it tells a story about our social and our justice system(s) that many of us may suspect but don’t really know.

The Book

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,***** by Rebecca Skloot

I am ‘late’ coming to this book and true story. A number of MillersTime readers mentioned it as one of their favorite books of the year.

And I thank them for drawing my attention to it.

From Publishers Weekly:
Starred Review. Science journalist Skloot makes a remarkable debut with this multilayered story about faith, science, journalism, and grace. It is also a tale of medical wonders and medical arrogance, racism, poverty and the bond that grows, sometimes painfully, between two very different women—Skloot and Deborah Lacks—sharing an obsession to learn about Deborah's mother, Henrietta, and her magical, immortal cells. Henrietta Lacks was a 31-year-old black mother of five in Baltimore when she died of cervical cancer in 1951. Without her knowledge, doctors treating her at Johns Hopkins took tissue samples from her cervix for research. They spawned the first viable, indeed miraculously productive, cell line—known as HeLa. These cells have aided in medical discoveries from the polio vaccine to AIDS treatments. What Skloot so poignantly portrays is the devastating impact Henrietta's death and the eventual importance of her cells had on her husband and children. Skloot's portraits of Deborah, her father and brothers are so vibrant and immediate they recall Adrian Nicole LeBlanc's Random Family. Writing in plain, clear prose, Skloot avoids melodrama and makes no judgments. Letting people and events speak for themselves, Skloot tells a rich, resonant tale of modern science, the wonders it can perform and how easily it can exploit society's most vulnerable people. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

* * *

And for those of you with children, check out this out: 7 Obscure Children’s Books by Authors of Grown Up Literature. Especially see number 2, the one by Mark Twain. Click Here

SHAKE SHACK VS FIVE GUYS VS IN-N-OUT: WHO MAKES THE BEST BURGER & FRIES ?

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:43:56 -0400

By Elizabeth R. Miller

There is a debate raging across this country pitting citizens and even politicians against each other.

I’m not talking about gay marriage or how the U.S. should handle the debt crisis.

I’m talking about something people might say is equally important: burgers. Historically, it was an all out battle between the East and West Coast, the fast food chain In-N-Out versus the East Coast’s Shake Shack. Then of course there was Five Guys, and as the other two chains expanded, the epic battle of the burgers raged on!

Here’s an exclusive MillerstTme.net take on the best of the burgers.

In-N-Out:

Originally a California-based fast food company, you will be hard pressed to find anyone from the West Coast not willing to live and die by this burger, and I agree.

Since its inception, it has expanded to other Western states such as Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and, more recently, Texas. So if you aren’t in California there’s still hope.

It’s a smaller patty (2-ounces), so you may want to order a “double-double” which is exactly what it sounds like (double the meat). They also have a tangy top-secret sauce which I highly suggest getting. If you’re feeling creative you can order off their “secret menu” (not so secret, click here for a cheat sheet).

If I were able to eat this burger more than once a year or so, I may not be so enamored with it, but for now, it stands at the very top of my list!

Shake Shack:

I know what you’re going to say, I’ve lived in NYC nine years, so I’m biased, but in my mind Shake Shack beats In-N-Out (but just barely).

Shake Shack is the work of Danny Meyer and started with just one location in Madison Square Park. Now it is currently open in nine locations in New York, D.C. Miami, Connecticut, and the Middle East.

In my mind this burger has it all -- the soft squishy bun (it is a potato roll toasted in butter), a freshly ground patty of sirloin, brisket and short rib, and very melty American cheese. It also has the best custards and milkshakes I have ever had (so much so you should skip the fries and get a shake, but see more about fries below).

On a perfect New York City day, it is definitely worth waiting 45 minutes in line and enjoying the burger at any of its locations, but I love it best at Citi Field, watching a Mets game, or at Madison Square Park.

Five Guys:

Now, I am from DC, the “home” of Five Guys, but I have to say I think it doesn’t even belong in the same category as the other two.

You will however find a lot of my hometown folks claiming that it is the best, but it’s certainly no longer the little guy from DC. As of April 2011 there were more than 750 Five Guys in over 40 states and even locations in Canada.

In my opinion it cannot compete against Shake Shack and In-N-Out. I find the burger a bit greasy and limp (maybe because they serve them in tinfoil which causes them to steam up a bit more?) But if you love unlimited toppings, this could be your go-to-burger. I do have to say there is a great grill flavor to its burgers which isn’t as strong in the other two contenders.

Sadly, there are at least half a dozen burger places in New York City that rank above Five Guys in my mind including J.G. Melon, Corner Bistro, Island Burgers, Five Napkin Burger, Minetta Tavern, and Burger Joint.

And of course, you simply cannot have a burger without what my mom calls “FFs” (known to the rest of us as french fries). In my opinion none of the above gets it right.

Shake Shake has a crinkle cut fry, which does turn out to be rather delicious when topped with its magical cheese sauce. Five Guys boasts “fresh-cut fries” where you can see bits of the potato skin on the outside, but they gain a strike from me because they are a thicker cut. In-N-Out is probably the closest to what I think of as the perfect french fry: thin and salty but something still isn’t perfect.

After doing some research I learned that In-N-Out fries are cooked from fresh cut potatoes (probably a good thing) whereas the majority of fast food chains cook their potatoes from a frozen state. This means the fries from In-N-Out have a shorter cooking time since the internal temperature is lower which can sometimes result in limp, somewhat mushy fries.

Frozen fries (like McDonalds) tend to be crispier because the outsides of the fry crisps up before the inside cook too much. That is exactly what’s wrong with In-N-Out’s fries, the insides are a little mushy.

So there you have it. If you come to NYC feel free to call me up, and we can go out for a burger. If waiting in line for 45 minutes doesn’t sound like your thing, any of the aforementioned burger places will do (though I probably shouldn’t guarantee a no-wait at any of them, especially Minetta Tavern).

And of course, taste may be subjective, so tell me what you love (a thin vs. thick burger), whether atmosphere really matters to you, how much you’re willing to spend, and I promise I can find a burger you will love!

Even if it means getting on a plane and flying to California to get it.

GARTH BROOKS: SOLO & UNPARALLELED

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:31:06 -0400

by Elizabeth R. Miller

I love country music.

So much so that the fact that New York City does not have a country music radio station makes me question whether or not I should continue living here. But luckily there are things like Pandora and internet radio, so I do still get my fix.

You may wonder how a girl from DC grew up to love country music, and I will tell you it is because of my summer camp which is located in northern Wisconsin (Birch Trail).

For my seven years as a camper there, most of my cabin mates were from the south, and I still remember the day I heard one of my all time favorite country songs, “Callin’ Baton Rouge” by Garth Brooks for the first time. Our counselors used to play wake up songs to get us out of bed and to breakfast on time, and one year this was the song.

Unless you have been living under a rock the past few decades you probably have heard of the country superstar Garth Brooks, one of the worlds highest selling album artists of all time. In fact, accordingly to this chart Garth Brooks has sold over 128 million albums, which makes him the third best-selling albums artist in the United States in the SoundScan era (since 1991).

Perhaps more importantly, Garth Brooks is often credited with making country music accessible to a wider population and his epic high-energy live performances earned him huge popularity with millions of fans.

Sadly, I never had the chance to see Garth Brooks live (partially because I was too young during the height of his popularity and partially because I spent most of my summers at camp). When he retired in 2001 I thought I had lost my chance. It never stopped me from listening to his music however, which is the probably the reason I became a country music fan to begin with.

Luckily for me, as celebrities/athletes/musicals often do, in 2009, Garth Brooks announced he was coming out of retirement and began a five year concert deal with the Encore Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas (Brooks is apparently a close friend of casino maven Steve Wynn who flies Brooks and his family back and forth to Vegas in his private jet for each of his semi-monthly gigs).

His solo performance has gotten rave reviews and deservedly so.

I jumped at the chance to get tickets, the first round of which were released in batches.

Not only do I love Garth Brooks, but it would give me an excuse to go to Las Vegas, which I absolutely love (it is kind of like an adult version of Disneyland). After waiting on hold one Saturday afternoon for over five hours, I finally scored two tickets!

So last August my Mom and I headed to Vegas to take in the show.

It was truly an unparalleled experience. The theater is small (capacity is approximately 1500), so compared to the concert arenas that Garth Brooks is no doubt used to playing in, it pales in comparison. The good news is that every seat in the house is a good one. The small venue gives the show a more intimate feeling, which actually parallels the show itself.

If you go expecting to see a show reminiscent of his live performances, you will be in for quite a surprise. Rather, Garth Brooks comes on stage dressed quite “like a farmer” (my mom’s words) in an unassuming pair of jeans and shirt, and talks and sings for two hours quite openly about his life, his family, his musical influences, and what it was like getting to meet his idols and write his hit songs.

He rarely sings his own songs all the way through, but rather will perform snippets of both his songs and the other artists who influenced his style over several decades. And retirement certainly has not hurt his iconic voice; he can still sing, perform, and entertain a crowd with the best of them.

I loved the concert so much, I knew I would want to see the show again (and this time get my father there!) So I bought some more tickets (sadly the Encore had doubled the price though I would argue it is worth it), but at least this time I was able to buy tickets online.

So I headed back to Vegas and saw the show again last week, and I am thrilled to report it was just as great the second time around. It really is a unique show that weaves together storytelling, song-writing, and musical genius!

And now that I have seen the concert twice, I only have one question left: when will I get to see him a third time? And not just because Papa could not go this time around either, due to unforeseen circumstances, but rather because the show is just, indeed, that good.

ONE FILM, ONE PLAY - BOTH WORTH SEEING

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:31:26 -0400

Of Gods and Men ****

If religion plays an important part in your life (a note to SDS readers of this blog), then I encourage you to find and see this small film.

But you don’t have to be religious to enjoy it.

It is the story of a group of eight French Trappist monks who live in a small monastery in a poor Moslem community (north Africa, probably meant to be Algeria?).

Based on a true story, these monks have to decide whether to leave or stay as massacres and increasing violence by Islamic fundamentalists threaten foreigners, including themselves.

The film is purposely slow moving, with many extended periods of no talking, long camera shots of the lives and faces of the monks, and wonderful ‘portraits’ of the monks (especially ‘Brother Luc,’ the doctor).

I suspect not everyone will love this movie, but the three of us who saw it the other night definitely found it moving and worthy.

In French, with subtitles, tho most of the film is easily understood without needing to read the subtitles nor have the ability to speak French.

* * *

War Horse ****

This play just won a number of Tony awards, including Best Play of 2011.

I saw it a week ago and was fascinated by the puppetry and artistry of the staging, lighting, production, etc. And I am not one who generally likes puppetry.

For me, the play itself, the story (a boy, his pony/horse, the horrors of WWI, etc.) paled by comparison with the beauty and realism of the animation.

Stephen Speilberg will be bringing War Horse to the movie theaters later this year. Perhaps without puppetry, the film will be quite different than the play?

See daughter Elizabeth’s review in her post on the Best of Broadway 2011 by Clicking Here.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BROADWAY THEATER FOR 2011

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:20:59 -0400

A Recap of a Great Broadway Season

by Elizabeth Miller

I'm not here to defend myself about the Red Sox (see my dad’s post A Father’s Lament, Click Here). That's another post. I'm here to recap a great season on Broadway!

Of course I watched the Tony Awards last night, and for the most part, I think the voters got it right. I have been very fortunate to see a lot of Broadway this season, and if you're planning a trip to New York this summer, check out my favorites. “P” stands for Play and “M” for Musical. Stars are 1 to 5. I've only reviewed productions that were eligible this season.

The Normal Heart (P). ***** This is probably one of my favorite plays I have ever seen. An extremely moving and heartbreaking play about AIDS in New York City in the early 80s and what it was like for the gay community. I actually dare you to see this production and not cry. It won three awards (two for acting, and one for best revival of a play), and it deserved them. It's a limited run since so many of its stars are TV actors with other commitments, so try to see this one soon.

The Book of Mormon (M) ***** You've probably heard enough praise about this production so I'll just say it's great. Very funny and definitely the best musical of the year. See it. My advice would be not to listen to the music before you see the play; it will be funnier if it's more of a blank slate. Good luck getting tickets!

Jerusalem (P) ***** Mark Rylance is amazing, and that's really all you need to know. The play takes place in rural England - not sure I "got" all of it, but it's definitely worth seeing. You'll feel like you can watch Rylance forever. If Rylance hadn't won for best actor in a play, I would have protested outside the Beacon Theater. The set is also really beautiful.

War Horse (P) **** A really unique production that will probably play at Lincoln Center for years. The puppetry is fantastic as is the lighting, costumes and staging. It won for best play, probably on the strength of the production itself, rather than the actors or actual story. There were a lot of great new plays this year, and while this was a worthy contender, I would have rather seen other new plays like Jerusalem or Motherf**ker With a Hat win.

The Motherf**ker With the Hat (P) ****1/2 Great new and explosive play about love and fidelity. Chris Rock is terrible, which keeps it from getting the full 5 stars, but it's been extended through July 17th. So if you can catch it before it closes, I'd suggest doing so. There is a possibility it will extend with a new cast, but I'd see it soon in case it doesn't!

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (P) **** The story of two American soldiers in Baghdad, an Iraqi and a tiger (played by Robin Williams). I wish this play had been better received by the critics. Robin Williams is good, but the cast around him is even better. It's a comedy and tragedy all in one. I definitely recommend it.

Good People (P) **** Recently closed (it was only scheduled as a limited run with Frances McDormand and Tate Donovan) but was a great look at a woman struggling to make it in South Boston.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (M) **** I don't normally love musical revivals, but I saw this one because of Daniel Radcliff (I'm probably not alone in that), and I really enjoyed it. John Laraquette won the Tony for best actor in a musical, and he was great. It's fun, and Radcliff can hold his own even if he isn't the best singer in the world.

Catch Me If You Can (M) and Sister Act (M) ***1/2 Both three and a half stars. Neither production is perfect, but both are entertaining and have a few great song and dance numbers. Neither had a chance to beat Book of Mormon in the Best Musical Category. If you see Sister Act, don't leave after the first half. I promise the second half is much better! If you watched the Tony's, you saw Norbert Leo Butz' show-stopping "Don't Break The Rules," so you've probably already watched the best number in the show.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert (M) and Baby It's You! *** Both are fun, light-hearted musicals. If you like Disco music and glitter, you'll probably enjoy Priscilla -- just don't go expecting too much. Thanks to my cousin Kate for treating me to this one! Baby It's You! stars Beth Leavel and is a jukebox musical about the pioneering girl group the Shirelles. It falls a little flat, but the music is definitely good (if you like Dreamgirls, this feels like a slightly less well done version of it, but it is in the same vein).

The Importance of Being Earnest (P) and Arcadia (P) ***1/2 each. Both nominated for Best Revival of a Play and both worthwhile productions. ‘Earnest’ is entertaining, and Brian Bedford is fabulous. Arcadia is heavy but worthwhile if you can understand the accents.

Lombardi (P) ***1/2 Recently closed - a new play based on the life of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, starring Dan Lauria and Judith Light. It was good, especially if you're a football fan or care about sports.

Brief Encounter (P), Born Yesterday (P) *** each. Only Born Yesterday is still playing, but you can probably skip it. The lead, Nina Arianda, is great, but other than that it's a bit dated and dreary.

The People in the Picture (M) and Wonderland (M) **1/2 each. Skip both of these (which will be easy to do since Wonderland already closed). The People in the Picture is a new musical about World War II, starring Donna Murphy. There are better things on Broadway this season.

The House of Blue Leaves (P) *** A play revival with acting powerhouses Edie Falco and Ben Stiller. It didn't do it for me (or the critics apparently); it felt dated, and I couldn't get into it. But Edie Falco's Tony nomination was definitely well deserved.

Spiderman (M) (**) Not good. Apparently they've fixed it from the Julie Taymor version, but it's just not Broadway quality. The music is lacking, and I was unimpressed, but I didn't necessarily feel like I needed the last 2.5 hours of my life back.

The only two shows I've yet to see that are on my list are Anything Goes (M) and Ghetto Klown (P), both of which I'm seeing this week; so I'll report back. Anything Goes beat out How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress (Sutton Foster), so I'm hoping for good things.

And I know what you’re thinking. How did I see all these shows and still manage to afford dinner every night?

First, the Theater Development Fund (TDF-- www.tdf.org) offers a yearly membership which provides individuals who work for non-profits tickets (usually $35 each) to Broadway shows. Sell out hits like Book of Mormon won’t ever be on there, but most plays and new musicals in previews will be. You have to be flexible and accept you may have a not so great seat, but I saw over half of the productions using it.

Second, Roundabout Theater Company and Manhattan Theater Company offer a program called “HipTix” for young people age 18-30. You can see a show for $25.

And then sometimes I have to rely on the generosity of my parents for sold out hits like War Horse.

If all of the above fail, I can usually survive eating ramen for dinners.

JON STEWART ON D. TRUMP AND BEST NY PIZZA

Sun, 5 Jun 2011 12:15:44 -0400

If you live in NYC, you’ve no doubt seen Jon Stewart’s take down of Donald Trump and his pizza escapade with Sarah Palin.

If somehow you missed it, do Click on the link below this article to see it for yourself (or for a second time).

You will not be disappointed.

And for those of you who do live in or near the city, is Stewart correct about the best pizza places (Lombardy’s, Grimaldi’s, Totono’s, Arturo’s, John’s, Denino’s, Joe’s), or do you have one that is as good or better?

Please let those of us who only occasionally come to your city know where we should go for the best pizza.

THREE TO SEE

Fri, 27 May 2011 10:25:38 -0400

Three Films to See:

Three films to put on your ‘to see’ list. The first is in most of the major theaters now. The second is harder to find, but if there’s a theater that shows foreign films, catch it when it comes. The last is not currently in the theaters but is supposed to be in a couple of months. Keep your eyes open for it.

Win Win ****

This film kinda grows on you as it develops.

It’s the story of a likable, small town lawyer whose law practice is failing. A series of improbable events occur, and he, and we, get drawn into his decisions and the ensuing consequences.

Each of the main characters, led by Paul Giamitti, is a bit quirky but believable, and you find yourself hoping all will turn out well.

Good acting makes the film worth seeing.

Incendies **** ½

Based on a play by Wajdi Mouawad, this Canadian film grabs you and keeps you engaged almost from the beginning.

It’s the story of twins who are instructed by their mother’s will to search out their past in a mid-east country (probably Lebanon) that has been torn apart by war. As the search progresses, we’re drawn into the past of a woman who has lived through the hell of war and man’s inhumanity to man (and woman).

The film moves back and forth between the present (the twins’ search) and the past (their mother’s almost unbelievable story) and was nominated for the 2010 Best Foreign Language Film.

See it if you can.

The Whistleblower ***** (Ellen Miller’s rating)

I haven’t seen this as it was shown in our Sunday morning Cinema Club a month or so ago when I was away. Ellen says it’s not perfect, but “it’s damn good.”

The story comes from the experiences of a female Nebraska cop who worked in Bosnia as a peacekeeper following the war there. The drama is based on what happens when she finds some of her UN colleagues involved with and covering up a sex trafficking scandal. It’s based on Kathryn Bolkovac’s book The Whistleblower.

ELLEN MILLER’S SICILY PIX

Mon, 16 May 2011 18:34:11 -0400

Here are a few of Ellen’s good pictures from our recent shortened trip to Sicily.

If you want to see more of them, there is slide show of about 65 pictures at the bottom of this page...tho it may not work if you have an iPad. Probably need a laptop or desktop computer.

THE ‘SUMMER’ LIST: BOOKS MILLERSTIME READERS HAVE ENJOYED MOST RECENTLY

Sun, 15 May 2011 11:08:12 -0400

Get a cup of whatever you enjoy drinking, a pencil and piece of paper (or whatever you use to keep track of things you want to remember), and be prepared to make a list of at least three or four books for the summer, and beyond.

Free to print out this post and also to pass it on to others.

Here it is – a list of 100+ books that 42 MillersTime readers have enjoyed over the last few months.

I’ve put a star (* ) after the titles of books that have been mentioned more than once.

Many thanx to all of you who sent in titles, comments, etc.

Finally, I’ll do this again at the end of the year. So if you’re memory is as bad as mine, it might be worthwhile to keep a list of what you’re enjoying the most from now until the end of 2011.

The “Summer List

1. Micah Sifry:

Matterhorn * by Karl Malantes – fantastic, gripping Vietnam war novel

2. Dave Stang:

These are classics:

Plotinus, The Enneads, J. Dillon, ed.,New York 1991;
Erasmus, The Praise of Folly, tr. by Hoyt Hudson, Princeton,1941;
Bacon, Novum Orgnum, tr. by Perer Urbach, Chicago, 1994.
These are some of the most stimulating books I have encountered in a course I am taking entitled, Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition.

Res Ipsa Loquitur.

3. Richard Miller:

To The End of the Land by David Grossman (too much to try to summarize in a sentence or two but one of the best books I read last year) -- (6/1/11 - Note: Neither my wife Ellen nor my daughter Elizabeth liked this book, and, in fact, they both quit reading it part way through!)

The Invisible Bridge * by Julie Orringer (terrific characters and story set in Hungary largely during WWII - a different kind look about that time period)

Washington, A Life * by Ron Chernow (not the guy you learned about in elementary school - book won 2011 Pulitzer recently)

Fifty-nine in ’84” Old Hoss Radbourne, Barehanded Baseball, and the Greatest Season a Pitcher Ever Had by Edward Achorn (great book to read in the off season and/or when your team ain’t doing so hot)

4. Max Shapira:

The Jewish Confederates by Robert N. Rosen. While rather tome like, (it) is quite interesting, particularly in this 150th year anniversary of the start of The War Between the States.

5. Ellen Kessler:

Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine. Entertaining story about the lifestyle changes for the mother and her two adult daughters resulting from a divorce, with a poignant ending. A bit contrived (as a divorce lawyer, I know it is not realistic) but entertaining.

Also just read Great Expectations with my 16 year-old grandson who is reading it for school. I had never read it, but it was a pleasure for me (although my grandson was less enthusiastic!). Dickens is really entertaining and some believe GE is his best work. (The Associate Editor of Time wrote the forward for the Barnes and Noble edition). If you want a different universe and a good story, GE is it.

6. Kate Latts:

The Invisible Bridge * by Julie Orringer. Just read it and really enjoyed it. It takes place in Europe, mostly Hungary during WWII. Having just been in Hungary, you and Aunt Ellen would enjoy it, I think.

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. LOVED it.

7. Bill Plitt:

I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish

The author is a Palestinian physician who lost his three daughters an," January 16th 2009. His story is powerful "as a man who despite his own losses continues his belief in humanity and it's potential for human good." I heard him speak along with several friends this past winter at the 6th and "I" Synagogue and was caught up in the recounting of his life's journey which is much broader but inclusive of the tragic moments which unfurled that dark day. I found his strong drive to become a physician as a little boy in Gaza under extreme circumstances, a story of hope and reconciliation.

The Monks of Tibhirine by John W. Kiser. Is an account of events leading up to the murder of seven Trappist Monks of the Notre-Dame de l'Atlas in Tibhirine, Algeria, in 1996. While their deaths were tragic in some ways, their lives were not lost completely in vain, in my opinion, as the story reveals a wonderful relationship between the Monks and their Muslim village community. This portrayal of humanity at its finest has a particular relevant message for us given the present tensions in that part of the world.

The book served as the foundation for the current movie "Of God and Men," and its author, John Kiser, lives in Virginia. If you see the movie, which is only the last chapter of the story, and found the portrayal riveting as I did, you must read the book to learn of earlier experiences of the Monks and the people of the village that came to know them.

8. Eric Lantzman:

Life, Inc by Douglas Rushkoff. It is a lot of liberalism, just so everyone is warned. I am concerned I would offend your conservative friends and family. (wink, wink)

9. Ellen Miller:

The Invisible Bridge * by Julie Ottinger
India Calling: An Intimate Portrait of a Nation’s Remaking * by Anand Giridharadas
The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
Matterhorn * by Karl Malantes

10. Leslie Lieman-Sifry:

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand * by Helen Simonson
Audio book/CD, Read by Peter Altschuler. A bloody delightful theatrical experience! Not a word wasted. Absolutely enjoyed. Issues of race, class, age and religion are tackled (with wit) when an English Major, of old-world decorum and class, and a Pakistani woman with a Muslim family meet.

The Tender Bar: A Memoir by J.R. Moehringer
Although Richard recommended this a while back, especially to men over 30, I must add a recommendation for all. As a woman way over 30, I enjoyed J.R. Moehringer’s writing and attention to detail (both physical and emotional). A revealing memoir of a hard knocks life on the north shore of Long Island, NY. Perhaps I was drawn to the love he expresses for his mother :)

Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls
Speaking of a hard knocks life, meet Jeannette Walls's grandmother who was born in Texas, 1901. Given the lives we often take for granted in 2011, Wall’s portrait of her true-grit, resourceful, hard-working grandmother reminded me of what women like her carved out for the rest of us.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Audio book/CD. Various readers. The entire book is written as letters to/from the main character, Juliet Ashton, a writer, to/from a number of people in London and the island of Guernsey just after WWII. Wonderful development of different voices/characters in the audio book, but probably a great read as well.

11. Judy White:

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Master storyteller & builder of suspense.

God Never Blinks by Regina Brett. Essays lightly written with good advice for living. Both Mike & I enjoyed it.

The Shelter of Each Other and Seeking Peace by Mary Pipher. I love anything by her, and these are no exception.

Peace Meal by Anna Badkhen. Stories by an intrepid war correspondent from the trenches of the worst current conflicts. Different from most war reporting because she gets to know women and families and shares meals with them even during the worst of times. Includes recipes. Highly recommended.

Test Ride on the Sunnyland Bus by Ana Maria Spagna. A sleeper, awarded prize for best nonfiction creative writing by our local literary magazine. Those who remember the civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 60s will especially enjoy it. Mike and I took turns reading it to each other while traveling through the deep South. Three interlocking themes, one being the author's search for the truth about her deceased father's part in desegregating the Tallahassee public buses.

Little Princes by Conor Grennan. Wonderful book about his work to reunite trafficked Nepalese "orphans" with their families. Reminiscent of Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea, but Grennan is more humble and a better writer. Incredible story.

12. Mary Lincer:

I don’t recommend . . . what I've been reading lately. 1984 with the seniors and Animal Farm with the 9th grade. These books get WORSE every time one re-reads them because the world gets worse.

13. Laurie Kleinberg:

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann- great fiction set against the true event of a man walking a wire between the world trade towers. (Another reader recommended I think in your last list)

The Passages of H.M. by Jay Parini - a mostly fictional and very clever account of the life experiences that produced Moby Dick and other Melville tales.

14. Todd Endo:

In the previous listing, I noticed that three people selected The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet as a book to read. In addition, our daughter-in-law's mother wrote us for a comment on the times of Japanese removal in 1942 from Seattle and the entire west coast. So, I wanted to read the book.

It was a page turner and quite interesting. Paula and I had been in
the restored hotel, talked the staff person about its history as a
Japanese immigrant men's hostel and its place as storage for families
removed from Seattle, viewed the historical photos displayed on the
walls, and ate in the tea shop.

What I liked most about the book was the interaction among three
generations of Chinese men, each of whom lived in a different world
and had difficulty communicating with one another. I reflected on my grandfather (the immigrant), my father (the adult faced with moving
his family from California to an unknown future), and me. We, too,
lived in different worlds and had difficulty really understanding the
world of the other.

I wondered if a woman author would write similarly about three
generations of Chinese women. But, I guess Amy Tan touched upon these issues.

I don't have sure fire winners for the spring book list, but look
forward to seeing what other people found interesting

15. Karen Begleiter:

Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.

16. Sal Giambanco:

Best Books from last six months:

Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of theWay to Fight Global Poverty by Abhijit Banerjee, MIT- J-PAL.
The Memory Chalet by Tony Judt
Room * by Emma Donoghue
Freedom * by Jonathan Franzen
The Anatomy of Peace, The Arbinger Institute
Ethics for the New Millenium by Dalai Lama, (a re-read of a great book)
India Calling * by Anand Giridharadas

17. Donna Pollet:

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
Already included in the 2010 list but it was a standout for me, about the south during the 1940s, exploring the complexities of race, love, character and redemption.

A Beautiful Place to Die by Malla Nun
For those who enjoy crime fiction, this is an intriguing murder mystery and debut novel, set in 1952 South Africa. A compelling and troubled police detective, Emmanuel Cooper, investigates the murder of an Afrikaner police captain in a small community rife with personal secrets and byzantine relationships, reflecting the politics, culture and history of a racially divided society.

Let the Dead Lie by Malla Nun
A sequel to A Beautiful Place to Die set in South Africa in 1953. Another suspenseful and complicated case which not only reflects the politics of South Africa but the international, cold war era of the 1950s.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
This is the most recent Newberry Award winner for grades 5-8. Written from several vantage points, this historical novel goes back and forth in time from the 1930s and WWI. It has all the elements of a good story told with humor and sadness including a coming of age character, odd-ball characters, mystery and an ending that pulls it all together.

Room * by Emma Donoghue
Not sure this is a favorite, but would like to hear what others have to say about this original and profoundly disturbing premise of a young woman who is kidnapped and repeatedly sexually abused, raising her son in an 11 x 11 shed and the ensuing consequences of captivity and freedom. All told through the voice of the five year old narrator. It clearly made an impression (on me).

18. Elizabeth Miller:

(so far)

The Surrendered by Chang-rae Lee
Fiction. Nominated for Pulitzer for Best Fiction this year (didn't win). Great fiction story dealing with the human anguish of war. Focuses mainly on the stories of three individuals: June, a Korean orphan, who comes into contact with Sylvie, a missionary's wife at an orphanage, and Hector, a US Soldier who stays in Korea after the war. Plot focuses on the years of the war itself and also the decades after. Long read but worth it.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks * by Rebecca Skloot
Non-fiction. Publisher's Weekly's review: Starred Review: Science journalist Skloot makes a remarkable debut with this multilayered story about faith, science, journalism, and grace. It is also a tale of medical wonders and medical arrogance, racism, poverty and the bond that grows, sometimes painfully, between two very different women—Skloot and Deborah Lacks—sharing an obsession to learn about Deborah's mother, Henrietta, and her magical, immortal cells. Henrietta Lacks was a 31-year-old black mother of five in Baltimore when she died of cervical cancer in 1951. Without her knowledge, doctors treating her at Johns Hopkins took tissue samples from her cervix for research. They spawned the first viable, indeed miraculously productive, cell line—known as HeLa. These cells have aided in medical discoveries from the polio vaccine to AIDS treatments. What Skloot so poignantly portrays is the devastating impact Henrietta's death and the eventual importance of her cells had on her husband and children. Skloot's portraits of Deborah, her father and brothers are so vibrant and immediate they recall Adrian Nicole LeBlanc's Random Family. Writing in plain, clear prose, Skloot avoids melodrama and makes no judgments. Letting people and events speak for themselves, Skloot tells a rich, resonant tale of modern science, the wonders it can perform and how easily it can exploit society's most vulnerable people. (Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Down River by John Hart
Fiction. Must read for any John Hart fan. Great mystery novel dealing with issues around family, wealth, and loyalty.

In the Shadow of Gotham by Stefanie Pintoff
Fiction. Follows Detective Simon Zieleplace trying to solve a murder in the early 1900s in New York City. Won the Mystery Writers of America Best First Crime Novel Competition last year.

19. Kathy Camicia:

Two non-fiction books to recommend:

Just Kids by Patti Smith
For anyone who grew up in the sixties you will recognize many touchstones of music, art, personalities and events. It made me weep at the end.

How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer
Jonah Lehrer is similar to Malcolm Gladwell in terms of assimilating
research and information to produce interesting material. This book focuses on neuroscience made easy for us non-professionals. It could settle many arguments for you.

20. Elliot Trommald:

Just discovered a wonderful read by a good writer named Daniel Silva. He has been around since the 90s, but I had not read him. Last month I finished The Rembrandt Affair (2010), and was introduced to Gabriel Allon, a deeper character than Lee Child's Jack Reacher. And Silva writes better than Child. So far this month I have read 3 more of Silva's works -- anyone who likes this genre will not be disappointed. Allon is a retired Israeli agent, who is an artist and restorer of the paintings of masters, but keeps getting called back into service for "one last mission" by Ari Shamron, a character as fascinating as Allon -- all in the name of preserving Israel from those who would destroy it. Silva has trouble ending his books, but the first 90% of each I have found captivating, intriguing, and often thoughtful.

His first book, The Unlikely Spy (1995), does not know Gabriel Allon but is an excellent World War II spy thriller. Allon and the Arab Israeli setting begins (I think) with the Kill Artist (1998) -- at least that's where I first encountered Allon. I'm off to buy The English Assassin and The Confessor, sequels to The Kill Artist.

We have 4 years to think about the Civil War. I am half way through David Goldfield's America Aflame: How the Civil War Created a Nation (2011). While I don't agree with a number of his interpretations, I have found them challenging. Religion, Lincoln, and violence (painfully graphic) play major roles in creating the new nation. Goldfield does not think the war inevitable, compromise just might have worked if Lincoln had gone along with it. I can't help but wonder if concerns today have done a number on Goldfield. Still, I like the book and have been pushed to reconsider some of what I have come to believe.

As we head into the election, I am glad I decided to pick up Joseph Ellis's American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic (2007). I am enjoying it as I read Goldfield. If I had my way I would insist every one bitten by the Tea Party bug read it and be required to give a critical response. Without strong federal government and a patient approach to inflammatory issues, we would not exist. Read this book, and maybe all of us might have more understanding of the challenges of politics and a little more respect for politicians. The paranoid style existed and influenced the shaping of the republic then, just as it does now. Ellis makes our early struggles more human and hopefully us more humble; by concentrating on our first 50 years, he helps us to see today in the context of where we have been. Good history is an antidote to sounding like some of the Bubbleheads around us. And it is making my differences with Obama more tolerable.

21. Jolie Kessler, age 4+:

The Pinkalicious series, Purplicious and Tangled are recent faves.

22. Stephanie Limb:

Mistress of the Art of Death series by Ariana Franklin - my guilty pleasure
Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian

23. Samantha Youngclaus, age 10:

Enjoyed the mysterious Benedict Society Triology.

24. Ellen Shapira:

Room * by Emma Donoghue
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks * by Rebecca Skloot

25. Kathleen Kroos:

Saving Cee Cee Honeycut by Beth Hoffman, a little southern gem and fast read.

For the summer I am reading Cutting for Stone * by Abraham Verchese.

26. Cindy Olmstead:

The Dressmaker of Khair Khama by Gayle Lemmon
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand * by Helen Simonson
The Social Animal by David Brooks

27. Josh Goldstein:

The Big Thirst a new book by my friend Charles Fishman. Charles is an excellent journalist, and he weaves a great story about our under-recognized but ultimately critical resource H2O...a worthwhile read if not exactly summer beach reading escapism. It is quite compelling.

28. Sean McLaughlin:

Am still reading the Washington book (Washington, A Life * by Ron Chernow.) It is wonderful, long, interesting, long, enlightening, long, detailed, long, fascinating, long.....Get the point?

29. Jane Bradley:

I Curse The River of Time by Per Petterson, author of Out Stealing Horses. It’s anything but light summer fare, but his writing is superb, as always.

Cutting for Stone * by Abraham Verghese – it’s probably already on your list.

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimanda Ngozi Adichie. It’s a novel that takes place in Biafra during the 60’s.

By the way, I’m curious to know if anyone has recommended Ian McEwan’s latest book, Solar. I’ve really enjoyed his earlier books, but I found this one disappointing.

30. Susan Crawford:

Washington, A Life * by Ron Chernow
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by DavidMitchell
Love Virtually by Daniel Glattauer
As Always, Julia (letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto)
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey * by Candice Millard
The End of Overeating by David Kessler
The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
The Big Short * by Michael Lewis

31. Diana Bunday:

I have, of course been reading, but I am not so enthusiastic about any of the books. I am reading poetry, Mary Oliver, Pablo Neruda and others, and I like this very much.

32. Nick Fels:

The Big Burn by Tim Egan about Pinchot, TR, and the great forest fire of 1910 in Montana and Idaho.

River of Doubt * by Candice Millard about TR's disastrous exploratory trip in the Amazon basin in 1913.

1. Fran Renehan:

I read all but one of the books your daughter recommended (Click Here) and really enjoyed them. In fact, I liked two of the authors so much I went back and purchased some of their other books.

Also, What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman and enjoyed that as well as Live Wire by Harlen Cohen. It wasn't his best, but I am in love with Myron Bolitor and love the characters in those books...So all in all, I recommend reading that if you are a Harlen Coben fan.

I am now reading Jodi Picoult's new book, Sing You Home. The review I read panned it, but I like her books and am enjoying this one. It's about a
couple who were unable to have a baby. They eventually divorce, and the wife starts a relationship with another woman. It's complicated but well written by my standards.

Several books on hand for the summer which I have not read but am sure I will enjoy, as I have read most of the books by these authors and have always enjoyed them:

The Sixth Man by David Baldacci
Another Thing to Fall by Laura Lippman
In the Woods and The Likeness both by Tana French
Worth Dying For by Lee Child

1. Clare Bolek:

Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson
Cutting for Stone * by Abraham Verghese

1. Peter Shimm:

Freedom * by Jonathon Franzen -- lived up to the hype --outstanding

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller --fascinating memoir of a British ex-patriot family in Rhodesia in the 70s

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry -- really good book, interweaving story of numerous characters from different castes in post-partition India -- definitely worth reading

1. Nick Penniman:

Winner-Take-All Politics by Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson
(How Washington made the rich richer -- and turned its back on the middle class)

Deadly Spin By Wendell Potter
(An insurance company insider speaks out on how corporate PR is killing health care and deceiving Americans)

Residence On Earth by Pablo Neruda
(Rich collection from one of his most productive periods as a poet)

My seven-year old son (Nicky) is loving the Capital Mysteries series for kids, all written by Ron Roy. He just finished Trouble At The Treasury -- an appropriate title for our era.

My four-year-old son (Henry) still favors the Richard Scary books, especially What Do People Do All Day probably because of all the madcap little details he loves to stumble across.

My two-year-old daughter (Winnie) seems to love everything at any given moment, but has been asking recently for The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

1. Meggie Patterson:

Middlesex's all school read last summer was Zeitoun by Dave Eggers which I really enjoyed, and it was interesting to see high school students read it.

I am a huge Pat Conroy fan and read South of Broad and am reading Lords of Discipline right now -- he is a great story teller.

And then finally Beth just told me to read The Privilege by Jonathan Dee -- it looks great, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet!

Also, for young adults....my college friend just published a booked called Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley that is good. She is working on her second book now.

1. Cindy Margolies:

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner, lately picked up (this) old favorite of mine...if you haven’t (read it), you’d love it...it’s about the pleasure of long term relationships.

1. Carrie Trauth:

The New Iraq by Joseph Braude
A little difficult to read but full of good stories of the distant past and the realities of today for the Iraqi people.

Learning to Die in Miami - Confessions of a Refugee Boy by Carlos Eire
The story of a young Cuban boys experiences in America.

The Perfect Someone by Johanna Lindsey
A love story about two young people, who start out as enemies and discover love.

40. Ben Senturia:

Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned by Walter Mosley
His character, Socrates (center of several books), lives in the Watts ghetto…was recently released from prison…. is the product of a violent culture and is working to deal with this violence in him despite being always outnumbered and always outgunned as a black man in the ghetto. Beautifully written and about a part of the world that I am blind to.

1. Martha Curtin:

I’v been reading Aidan’s books that were assigned for school along with short stories and plays. I read Jayne Eyre (loved it) and the Hunger Games series that your daughter recommended.

1. Lucy Conboy:

Before the Deluge by Otto Friedrich, a portrait of Berlin in the 1920s

* * *

Note - I will leave a link to this list on the Home page of MillersTime so you can easily find the list again. I will also have a link on that same Home page to the 2010 and 2009 lists for anyone who may wish to go back to the earlier lists.

Just go to: www.millerstime.net and look on the left side of the page, near the bottom.

DC SHAKE SHACK OPENING IN TWO WEEKS

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:55:12 -0400

Shake Shack.

Only two weeks to go.

It was not supposed to be open until this summer.

But MillersTime has learned that “the construction is going well and we expect to be open in two weeks,” according to a Shake Shack employee this morning (4/29/11).

It’s on the corner of 18th and Conn. (at Sunderland), a couple blocks south of Dupont Circle in what was formerly a Fuddruckers.

And according to the permits posted in the front window, Shake Shack has applied for an alcohol beverage license and permission to have a sidewalk cafe.

First MillersTime reader to post a comment below confirming that the burger place is in operation gets a free meal there from me.

PS – I indicated in an earlier post that I thought Shake Shack would become a rival to DC favorite Five Guys. Now comes word that Five Guys (one of the few decent eating places at Nationals Park) has closed their outlet at the stadium and that Shake Shack will take over that space. The spokesperson referred to above was unwilling to give MillersTime an opening date for that outlet, other than to say “some time in the future.”

PPS - MillersTime will be glad to sponsor a contest to determine who has the better burger (Shake Shack or Five Guys). But someone needs to organize it. Anyone?

Update: 5/17/11 - It opened today. Will report from the scene soon.

THE DINNER: PROGRESSING THRU NYC’S CHINATOWN

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:52:38 -0400

Seven of us showed up at 6 PM outside of Joe’s Shanghai restaurant on Pell Street for the beginning of Saturday night’s experiment in progressing through NYC’s Chinatown hoping to identify some of the best dishes Chinatown has to offer.

And right off I could see that all my careful planning had not taken into account the lines outside of Joe’s place.

And if we had to wait at each place the 35 minutes that it took us to get a table at the first restaurant, we’d never get to even three of the five different places I had on my list before the Peking Duck ‘finale’ 9 PM.

To cut to the chase, we made it to a total of three restaurants, plus a palate cleansing stop at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.

Three very different restaurants.

And all three dishes were excellent.

Specifically, at Joe’s Shanghai (9 Pell St.), we had their well known “soup dumplings.” For those of you who may not know about soup dumplings, check out the accompanying picture. Somehow, they get a spoonful of broth inside the dumpling, and if you can get it to your plate without puncturing the little creature, you get a tasty squirt of soup, assuming you figure out how to bite off just the edge of the dumpling. If you make the mistake of putting the whole thing in your mouth, you risk getting scalded, especially if the dumplings have just come from the steamer in the kitchen.

Apparently there are two kinds of soup dumplings at Joe’s, one with pork and one with crab. Or maybe it’s one with pork and one with pork and crab. We had three orders (eight to an order) and never could figure out the difference between the pork ones and the crab ones.

But it was a good start.

Total cost for three orders, including tip: $35.

I had chosen the first and last restaurants and gave the group a list of five others to choose from for the in-between stops. They unanimously picked Sheng Wang’s for their first choice (and only one as it turned out).

So we wandered across Bowery following Andrew, our trusty NY resident-guide-friend, and found our way to a little place you would never see or choose if you hadn’t been told about it.

Sheng Wang (27 Eldridge St) was a ‘find’ (thanks to the TheVillage Voice’s article on “Our 10 Best Things to Eat in Manhattan’s Chinatown” -- Click Here).

Paper plates, paper cups, formica tables at this subterranean find.

And the best ‘shaved’ noodles we’ve ever had (also the first ones we’ve ever had). I’m not totally sure what shaved noodles are, but according to our limited Chinese (almost no one spoke English at Sheng Wang), somehow the dough is sliced*.

However they do it, it’s terrific. And you can get the noodles with baby bok choy and eggs or with shrimp, beef, or a dozen other varieties (see pix at the top of this post).

Only $4 a plate.

We also had “pulled’ noodles, which were about the freshest noodles we’ve ever tasted. The guy in the kitchen would stretch, slap around, and divide the dough into long strings and throw them into the wok. Adding in a bit of oil, baby bok choy and scrambled egg, and for another $4, you had a paper plate full of the best noodles ever.

All of the folks eating in this 12 (?) table restaurant (except for ourselves) were Asian, and most of them were eating noodles of one form or another in soup, with some strange looking ‘meat’ on top.

My suggestion is to have at least one order of shaved noodles and one order of pulled noodles, both stir-fried, not in soup.

Our total bill for four plates of noodles (two with veggies, one with shrimp, and one with beef was $20.50 cents. We left $25 dollars.

Sheng Wang definitely deserves a return trip.

Then our little group headed back to the main part of Chinatown and lined up outside Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (65 Bayard St.# B) for their wonderful ginger ice cream (the pistachio wasn’t too bad either, nor was the tangerine sherbet).

This one was the original place, as according to my NYC daughter the two brothers who founded the place have argued, and now there are two ice cream factories).

Anyway, three cups for about $12.

My advice is to save your yuan and just get one cup of the ginger ice cream as a palate cleanser and share it with your group.

Then it was 9 PM and time to claim our reservation at Peking Duck House (28 Mott St.).

And there we had the best Peking Duck we’ve ever had (a pretty strong statement from folks who have eaten Peking Duck for Thanksgiving for the past 41 years straight, but that’s another story).

There were lots of large groups at this restaurant, where you can bring your own wine (which I believe they cork for free); so it was a good thing we had made a reservation.

We ordered two ducks for the seven of us, which I thought might be too much, but it was so succulent and crispy that when I looked at the table at the end of the ‘meal,’ all I saw were two little pieces of skin left.

The pancakes were large (one person mentioned she thought they were ‘gluey’), the hoisin sauce was thin but good, and they served both scallions and cucumbers to wrap with the hoisin and duck (I’m a scallion person myself).

Cost here was $120, which included a plate of steamed broccoli for Andrew and the tip.

A great way to cap off the dinners.

Total cost for the three restaurants: $180

OK. If you add in the ice cream and the wine, maybe you get up to $30 a person.

Any takers for another excursion in Chinatown?

After all, we didn’t make it to at least three other identified restaurants. Plus, we’ve been told of other places we ‘must’ add to our list.

(*Thanx to Ellen’s co-worker Scott, you can Click Here to see how shaved noodles are made.)

ELLEN ‘S EXCELLENT BUDAPEST PICTURES

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:09:18 -0400

Here’s preview of some of Ellen’s recent photos from her/our recent working/playing trip to Budapest.

If you want to see more, there is a link below that should get you to a whole slide show.

Enjoy.

THREE PLAYS & A FILM -- ALL WORTH SEEING

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:32:49 -0400

On a recent trip to the big city, I had the good fortune to see three Broadway plays, all worthy of your attention I think.

The Book of Mormon:

I suspect that this play will be one of the hits of the 2011 season and will attract a good deal of attention and comment.

Still in previews and thus not yet reviewed, The Book of Mormon is not easy to describe, or rather, a description may be misleading. It is a musical about Mormonism (and other religions that seek to proselytize?) and the ‘young elders’ who are newly setting out to spread the word and convert the ‘heathen.’

Sounds dull?

It is anything but.

Written by the South Park duo of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, it is an evening filled with irreverence and hilarity. The night we attended the audience laughed from beginning to end (Jon Stewart was sitting three rows in front of us and could not stay in his seat for his laughing).

Buy tickets before they become hard to get.

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Lombardi:

This play has been on Broadway for a while now and has had mixed reviews. I’m not sure how long it will continue to run, but it has a lot to offer.

Vince Lombardi, as you may know, was the football coach of the Green Bay Packers and later of the Washington Redskin, and many folks consider him the greatest professional football coach in NFL history. His name has become synonymous with obsession for winning.

But you do not have to be a football fan to enjoy this play. What was most interesting to me was the portrayal of the man behind the myth, what drove him, what disturbed him, his contradictions, his imperfections, his successes and his failures, all of the complexities of this fascinating individual.

Dan Lauria leads a good cast in this well acted and well written play, one that is worth your time if you are curious about what drove the man to be what he became, the ‘great’ Vince Lombardi.

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Arcadia:

This revival of Tom Stoppard’s 1993 play volleys back and forth between the present and the past, between comedy and tragedy, between thought and feeling, between science and romance, between order and disorder.

You have to pay close attention to the dialogue, and you often don’t have time to think about what is being said because if you do, you will miss the next important dialogue.

It helps to have knowledge of the outline of the play prior to attending; but even then, you can’t let your mind wander.

If you are looking for light entertainment, Arcadia is not it.

But I think the effort it takes to wrestle with this play is well rewarded.

I will be curious how well this play succeeds once it officially opens Mar. 17.

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And one movie back in Washington at DC’s new West End Cinema which continues to show films not available elsewhere:

Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune:

If you were around in the ‘60s and followed folk music, you don’t need any introduction to Phil Ochs. Just find a showing of this documentary, and you will not be disappointed.

If the name Phil Ochs is only vaguely known to you, or not at all familiar, but if you interested in folk music and learning about one of the best songwriters and singers of the protest movement of the 60s, check out this documentary.

It is a well researched, well presented and informative portrayal of an unlikely ‘hero’ and an ultimately tragic individual who entertained and taught many of us who had the good fortune to be in our 20s when Phil Ochs was at his best.

TWO BOOKS, TWO COUNTRIES, SIMILAR STORIES

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:53:15 -0400

I didn’t read these two books back to back on purpose, but I am glad I did. They both tell a similar story: what is happening to people, their lives, and their relationships as their society is rapidly changing. And in both cases, the authors describe cultures that are in the midst of enormous change.

If you have any connections to either India or China, I suspect you will find either (or both) of these books fascinating.

India Calling: An Intimate Portrait of a Nation’s Remaking by Anand Giridharadas

The author was born in the suburbs of Cleveland to immigrant parents who had ‘escaped’ from an India that they found stagnant and stifling. Growing up, he visited India and soon understood why his parents had left.

Then about the time he finished college, he sensed that something significant had changed in India. He moved to Mumbai, and this book is about what he found.

He tells the story of a society that is in the midst of rapid change, both economically and socially. He describes a society that is going through a profound revolution in what is individually possible.

Gridharadas both understands what he sees and is able to capture it for the reader.

If you think you know India, read India Calling. You’re in for a surprise and for a treat.

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Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory by Peter Hessler

I read Hessler’s first book, Two Rivers, almost a decade ago. He was then a Peace Corps volunteer and wrote, with great sensitivity and insight, about his two years as a volunteer.

After serving in the PC, he remained in China for a decade, first free lance reporting and then serving as a correspondent for the The New Yorker. This is his third book (his second was Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China’s Past and Present).

The title of this one, Country Driving, is a bit misleading. The book is really in three parts, and only the first section is about his driving experiences in northern China. The second part relates what he observed and learned when he rented a small house and lived in a small village outside of Beijing. The third part reports about the time he spent with families as they moved from farms to factories and with businessmen who were active in one of China’s economic zones.

Like the India book, Hessler describes a society that is rapidly changing, both economically and socially. And like Gridharadas, he finds individuals who are in the midst of these transitions and tells their stories.

Although Hessler is not Chinese, he does speak the language and has lived in the country for the past decade. And in ways similar to Gridharadas, he gives the reader a sense of not just the economic changes but the personal ones too.

* * *

Both books tell of hope and excitement as well as disorientation and difficulties as these two societies undergo massive changes. Reading about what is occurring in India and China while my own country seems to be headed in an opposite direction is sobering indeed.

For the NYTimes review of India Calling, click here.

For Jonathan Yardley’s Washington Post review of Country Driving, click here.

BEST MYSTERY, SUSPENSE NOVELS OF THE YEAR? REVIEWS OF ALL THE EDGAR AWARDS’ NOMINEES

Mon, 7 Mar 2011 10:48:05 -0500

by Elizabeth Miller

While I don't follow a lot of publishing awards, and I have mixed feelings on how literary acclaim sometimes works, I do stick to a few general basics.

I know I haven''t loved books that have won the The Man Booker Prize for Fiction. And I do love books that have won the Edgar Awards, probably because I really enjoy mystery and suspense novels.

For those unfamiliar with them, the Edgar Awards are awarded each spring by the Mystery Writers of America. Last year's winner for novel was "The Last Child" by Jon Hart and was definitely one of my favorites of the year (thanks to Millerstime.net reader Donna Pollet who suggested it to me!). So this year I decided to read all the books shortlisted for Best Novel and make my own prediction ahead of the April announcement of the winner. Here are the books, in the order I read them, along with my thoughts:

Faithful Place by Tana French

I really love Tana French as an author and have read all three of her novels. I love her the way she allows her readers to get lost in her characters and her mastery of narrative prose. Her most recent book, Faithful Place, is certainly no exception. Her third novel centers around Frank Mackey, a guy who grew up in Dublin's inner city, and the love story between him and Rosie Daly. The two were set to run away to London together to get married, but Rosie never shows up at their appointed meeting place and is never seen or heard from again. Most assume Rosie just took off and started her own life without Frank. But 22 years later, Rosie's suitcase appears behind a fireplace in a house in their hometown, and Frank gets sucked into his past, desperate to find out what happened to her. I loved the characters, the plot, the twists.

It's easily one of the best books I've read in the past year.

I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman

An interesting read about a young girl, Eliza Benedict, who was kidnapped and held hostage for six weeks by a serial killer named Walter. Somehow, she survives and grows up to become a relatively normal, happily married suburban mother of two -- until her kidnapper makes appeals to her from Death Row.

While I enjoyed the book, I found myself slightly irritated with Eliza as a main character. But, perhaps that is the point. It's definitely not as dark and disturbing as other fiction works I've read that deal with kidnapping (for example "Still Missing" by Chevy Stevens), but it's a good read about psychological manipulation.

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

A book that focuses on the lives of two boyhood friends, Larry Ott and Silas "32" Jones who are torn apart and brought back together by a crime in a small, rural Mississippi town. In high school, Larry takes girl on a date to a drive-in movie, and she was never heard from again. Although she was never found, and Larry never confessed, his life is shattered when everyone assumes him to be the culprit. Several decades later, Larry and Silas find themselves back together again when Larry is blamed again for the disappearance of another girl. The two are forced to confront the past that they've ignored for decades.

It's a good mixture of crime fiction and Southern literary fiction. It blends issues of race, friendship and love.

The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton

I loved this book!

It focuses on the life of Michael, a teenager with a tragic past, who hasn't said a word since he was a young boy. And yet Michael has an incredible talent; he discovers his ability to unlock items -- house doors, padlocked safes; you name it, he can open it. Sadly, his talent gets him in with the wrong crowd on more then one occasion, but he may finally see his chance to escape. It's told from Michael's point of view and weaves in different time periods of his life as well as a love story.

It's really a great piece of crime fiction. A must read!

The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan.

This book was easily my least favorite of the bunch. It's probably because it’s part of a larger series that focuses on the character of Poke Rafferty (the series is known generally as "The Poke Rafferty series"). Rafferty is American travel writer who lives in Bangkok. The book actually doesn't focus on Rafferty (which is why I chose to read it even though I hadn't read the rest in the series), but on the life and history of his wife Rose, who grew up a poor village girl in rural Thailand, and was sold into prostitution in inner city Bangkok.

While I wasn't a huge fan of the book, it did do a good job of portraying what life must be life for dancers in the Patpong region (the Red Light District) of Bangkok. I probably would have liked it more if I had read the others in the series.

Caught by Harlan Coben

This one was the most fast-paced read for me, and I just finished it in just a few days. The book focuses on Haley McWaid, a 17-year old high school girl who disappears, and Dan Mercer, a social worker known as a friend to trouble teens, who may or may not have taken her. The book is largely told from the point of view of television report Wendy Tynes, who focuses on bringing down sexual predators like Dan Mercer via her television show "Caught in the Act.”

This book definitely thrills its readers with a story about a reporter who is reluctant to trust her own instincts, and it will keep you guessing about the true nature of its characters right until the end!

So in summary, I have no idea how the winners are decided, so I can't really make a prediction as to which will win. But in my book, it's a close call between Faithful Place and The Lock Artist - with The Lock Artist coming out ahead.

Happy Reading!

* * * *

(Ed. Note: These nominees were announced 1/19/11, and all of the Edgar Awards -- Best Novel, Best 1st Novel, Best Fact Crime, etc. -- will be presented on 4/28/11. Check out their website Here to see details of all the categories.)

“WINTER’S BONE” -- ANOTHER FILM TO SEE

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:01:09 -0500

Winter’s Bone ****1/2

Definitely a film to see if you missed it when it was in the theaters earlier this year.

I suspect you will hear more about it when the Oscars come into the spotlight as it has four nominations - Best Picture, Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Best Adapted Screenplay (from the novel), and Best Supporting Actor (John Hawkes).

It also won the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download.

I’m not sure how I missed it, but my wife Ellen and I finally saw it last night at the West End Cinema, a newly acquired set of theaters in downtown DC largely devoted to independent films.

Briefly, it is the story of a 17-year old girl Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) in the Ozarks in southwest Missouri living with her non- functioning mother and two young siblings. When she learns that her father has put their home up as collateral for his bond, she sets out to find him and somehow to keep her family together.

I have never been in that part of the US, but the portrayal of the area, of the people, and of life in that particular region was mesmerizing. The story is engaging, and both Ellen and I found it as good as any of the many good films we have seen in the last few months.

* * *

(Note: As I have indicated in other postings – Click Here – check out DC’s new West End Cinema. They have a mailing list that will let you know weekly what is being shown. Some of their films are only there for a day or two and some are not available anywhere else in the area.)

AN INVITATION

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:37:32 -0500

Check out the event described below.

If it interests you, I have one ticket for someone to join me at the event.

The first person to contact me by phone -- 202-320-9501 -- or by email -- Samesty84@gmail.com gets the ticket.

(I am part way through the biography and, on that partial reading, am finding it most enjoyable.)

* * *

RON CHERNOW - WASHINGTON: A LIFE
Thursday, February 24, 12 noon

Hay-Adams, Top of the Hay Sixteenth & H Streets, NW
 RON CHERNOW WASHINGTON: A LIFE (Penguin Press, $40)
This event is presented as part of The Hay-Adams Author Series
Join the National Book Award winner for a three-course lunch and lively discussion of his latest New York Times bestseller, a richly nuanced and vivid portrait of the real George Washington. The first public event in the new Top of the Hay, with stunning views directly across from the White House, will be co-hosted by renowned historian Michael Bechloss. A book signing will follow.
Ron Chernow's first book The House of Morgan received the 1990 National Book Award. His books Alexander Hamilton andTitan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller were nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award in biography and spent months on the New York Times bestseller list.

IF YOU LIKED THE STEIG LARSSON BOOKS, CHECK OUT THIS SERIES

Wed, 9 Feb 2011 13:28:52 -0500

(Written exclusively for MillersTime by Elizabeth R. Miller*)

If you liked the Millennium series ( Stieg Larsson) and the Twilight books (Stephenie Meyer) take note:

You should read The Hunger Games. I’ve been describing it as a mix between the two.

The books are a trilogy written by Suzanne Collins, an author who has primarily written for children’s television shows. These books include The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay. They all center around the life of a 16 year old girl Katniss.

The trilogy is set in Panem, a Capitol city set at some point vaguely in the future. Panem is surrounded by twelve districts. The Capitol is a completely totalitarian regime that keeps its districts in line by forcing them to each send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual “Hunger Games,” a fight to the death in a massive area which takes place on live TV. The books are extremely graphic and violent. Shockingly for “teen literature”. Intrigued yet?

Although the Hunger books are lengthy (over 400 pages each), they are fairly fast paced. This is in part due to the simple sentence structures and inclusion of a lot of dialogue throughout each book. According to my goodreads.com, it actually only took me 13 days to read all three books!

The books were reminiscent of the Millennium trilogy in that you find yourself rooting for the heroine, and they involve a great deal of mystery and suspense. It will literally be hard to put these books down. Both trilogies were extremely easy to get lost in. And like the Millennium trilogy, and the Twilight trilogy, The Hunger Games is set to turn into a series of blockbuster movies, to be directed by Gary Ross. Casting is TBA. The books were similar (from what I’ve heard) to the Twilight series on account of the love triangle that develops between Katniss and two other major characters, as well as the fact that they appeal mostly to teenagers.

(Full disclosure: I did not read the Twilight books. Not because I was being snobby and/or elitist about it. Not at all, in fact, I really wanted to read them. The problem was I’d seen the movies before I began reading the books, and like many people, I have a hard time reading books after having seen films. I tend to picture the characters like the actors, and I think takes away from the experience. I have heard, from my sister among others, that the books are highly addictive, and while most popular with screaming teenagers, were nevertheless fun reads even for adults.)

Also – if you are curious but don’t want to read the entire Hunger trilogy, the first book can (almost) stand on its own. However, in fair warning, do not read the second book if you are not prepared to read the third. There is a huge cliffhanger at the end of the second book! I cannot imagine having read the second book when it came out and having had to wait for the third, that would have been too torturous.

These books are definitely not for everyone (my mother claimed the first book was just “odd”). But I did recommend them to several of my office mates (who are close to my mother’s age), and they are into them!

So if you want to sink your teeth into a fast-paced trilogy, I do not think you will be disappointed.

Just don’t expect great literature, and prepare yourself for nightmares.

* * *

(*Further disclosure - author of the posting above is the daughter of the editor of MillersTime.net)

RESTREPRO: ANOTHER FILM TO SEE

Mon, 7 Feb 2011 11:28:01 -0500

Restrepro may not the best documentary ever made about war, but it’s a good one.

For an hour and thirty-three minutes the camera tells the story of a platoon of US soldiers’ 15 month deployment in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan.

There is no commentary other than what you hear from the soldiers and the action and inaction they face.

You rarely, if ever, see the enemy.

But you understand what this group of soldiers experienced and carry home.

The film has been described as ‘non-political,’ but I can’t imagine any other take away from seeing it than the question, “Why are we there?”

Just as with Black Watch (Click Here) and Hurt Locker (Click Here), you get some understanding of what the soldiers who go to Iraq and Afghanistan experience.

Update - 2/9/11 - I believe Restrepro is now available on DVD.