Many critics have argued that secrecy, at the federal level, has skyrocketed during the Bush administration. But what, exactly, does that mean? And how can citizens gauge the degree of secrecy their government practices? One relatively new measuring stick designed to answer both questions is OpenTheGovernment.org, a broad, Web-based coalition of public-interest and professional organizations … Read more
Flavor: Japanese Ambiance: A bit stark Service: Tolerant and obliging Though it has other merits, Green Tea Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar is most impressive for its tolerance. After a long soak at Shoji Spa for a friend’s birthday, we decided that there could be no better follow-up to a Japanese spa experience than a … Read more
“I was one of eight kids, and one of my fantasies was to live in an ark,” admits artist Ellen O’Grady, author of Outside the Ark: An Artist’s Journey in Occupied Palestine. “The image was of a storm outside, but safety inside.” These days, she’s probably not the only one who’s looking for a vessel … Read more
Burn away the cartoonish lyrics of much of the British and American ’60s psychedelic-rock canon and what remains? Well, everything. Because nimble guitar phrasing, chugging rhythm sections and elastic intersections of melody and noise are what make the best poppy head music — which is why it’s irrelevant that Gustav Ejstes is a young, contemporary … Read more
Has the downtown gallery scene gotten too tame for you? Works with no deep meaning — too decorative, too slick, too pretty, and too safe? Take heart: Keith Hewett’s current exhibit at Push will scare the bejesus out of you. Hewett displays some paintings in his Reliquaries of the Frankenstein Complex — but this is … Read more
CD reviews Sound of New Orleans This week, I decided to forego the usual local-album review and focus instead on New Orleans music, for obvious reasons. Give a listen, and raise a toast to sub-sea-level soul: • Dr. John, Gris-Gris The guru of voodoo got his start with this album that can double as sound … Read more
Edible art: Though summer still lingers, it may be time to start thinking about the holidays — especially if you want to take part in the Grove Park Inn’s 13th Annual Gingerbread House Competition on Nov. 7. Last year, the event drew more than 300 entries from around the country, and organizers expect even more … Read more
The dormant season, a time for transplants and pruning, is fast upon us. It’s a good time for remembering that comedians are the best source of garden wisdom (as they are for pretty much everything else worth doing). Woody Allen’s dictum that “Eighty percent of success is showing up,” for example, is a generalized version … Read more
People who love and work a lot with trees tend to call them by name and know their places of origin, preferred habitats and common pests or other problems. They also know how to address an immediate issue and help guide a tree to health. To care for trees in this way is a skill … Read more
