A shot in the dark
The 287-gun collection of legally blind Philadelphia psychiatrist John Ingui was briefly confiscated by police in August after his landlord discovered the arsenal on a visit to collect overdue rent. Federal officials said Ingui’s 60 assault rifles, 150 semiautomatic pistols and 50,000 rounds of ammunition were properly registered and returned them to him. You light…
Blood money?
Braving a cold, rainy Friday morning, four protesters stand at the entrance to Rollins College with signs reading “Rollins = Animal Cruelty” and pass out fliers to much the same effect. It’s a modest demonstration, to be sure, but when asked, group leader Carla Wilson freely dispenses her memorized statistics on the sad plight of…
The truth behind the pricy advice
Headline: “Martinez Pushes $400,000 For Survey.” Setting: The night before. A bar in downtown Orlando. “Psst. Hey you … yeah, you! Hey, what’s a good-looking county executive like you doin’ in a place like this? Hah, hah, just kiddin’, Mr. Chairman! Oh yeah, I understand, you gotta have a place to relax, get away from…
Saving Graceland
Poor Elvis. You can’t mention his name these days without some self-styled Shecky Greene making a crack about hookers and fried-banana sandwiches. Whatever the risk to my own professional livelihood, may I join the Elvis Presley Continentals in imploring us all to cut the King some slack? An Orlando-based fan association named after Presley’s taste…
Money hungry
He leans over his wife’s bed and gives her five “sugars,” five quick kisses that are as much for luck as they are for comfort. He adjusts her pillows, her useless legs, gives her a back scratcher and radio, then turns the small television to a better station. Roy Rembert knows he’s taking a chance…
A current affair
More than any other of earth’s features, we humans have turned to wild rivers for sustenance and similes for our own lives. The best- and least-known such source in this latitude is the St. Johns. Here, the secrets of epochs lay deep in its shifting bottom and in its near-shore forests — from subtle biodiversity,…
Blood money?
Jennifer Lopez has dropped a prenuptial bomb on her soon-to-be third hubby Ben Affleck, say pals, leaving nothing to chance as they head to the altar. Friends say she wants Ben to agree to live by a set of strict rules … . Her pals say she drew up a whole list of fines, ranging…
Every ‘Witch’ way
Dec. 13Dear diary, Christmas, oh Christmas … could there be a merrier time of year? Not for your old pal Santa Claus. At least that’s what I thought until yesterday, when the fine folks from the mall called with some joyous news: I got the job! They wanted me to do my thing in their…
A careful way
Illinois Gov. George Ryan, a Republican and death-penalty proponent, recently put a moratorium on executions in his state. Why? The 13 instances where death sentences were overturned because the men were found to be innocent. Illinois currently has about 150 prisoners awaiting execution. The Florida legislature recently took a step in the opposite direction. Ignoring…
Compromising ways
Much to the U.S. Navy’s chagrin, President Clinton has announced a plan that will allow the island of Vieques, which lies seven miles east of Puerto Rico, to expel the Navy by May 2003. The Navy, which has used the island as a training ground and bombing range for nearly 60 years, insists that the…
Defending the family flamboyant
Movie: All About My Mother
Through the past, smartly
Movie: Liberty Heights
Going out with a shout
Movie: Scream 3
Defending the family flamboyant
Movie: All About My Mother
Through the past, smartly
Movie: Liberty Heights
Going out with a shout
Movie: Scream 3
Review – Moon Rise Over the Silk
Artist: Ghazal
Review – Solitude
Artist: Volebeats
Review – Cobra Killer
Artist: Cobra Killer
Review – Machine Love
Artist: Genitorturers
Review – Moon Rise Over the Silk
Artist: Ghazal
Review – Solitude
Artist: Volebeats
Review – Cobra Killer
Artist: Cobra Killer
Review – Machine Love
Artist: Genitorturers
Review – Moon Rise Over the Silk
Artist: Ghazal
Review – Solitude
Artist: Volebeats
Review – Cobra Killer
Artist: Cobra Killer
Review – Machine Love
Artist: Genitorturers
Charmed, I’m sure
“Welcome!” he said. … “Before we begin our banquet, I’d like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you.” He sat back down. This is a school-banquet speech made by venerated headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the novel “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” That’s the first book in…
Many ways to figure a problem
Artists are not necessarily good teachers. Often something happens to artists when they decide they need to instruct us on politics: They become boring and rigid, like a conspiracy theorist or a protester who missed the bus to the rally. The worst kind of “issue” art happens when an artist has an idea finalized, neatly…
Village voice
Gerry Williams knows balance. As leader of local funk sensations SoFluid, he digs down hard into the groove, pressing soul to rhythm and then back again, with that sort of unshakable abandon that makes everybody feel like they’re part of something bigger … and louder. As a prominent vocal coach for the ubiquitous TransCon enterprise,…
Greek to seek
Close your eyes to Patsio’s coffee shop decor and its setting on a busy street — for a moment, you might imagine yourself in an authentic Greek kitchen. But in the light of day, it’s clear this is no Hellenic taverna where Mediterranean wine flows and folk music plays. Nor is this the place to…
Going deep into the comfort zone
While I don’t follow — or even understand — pro football, Super Bowl Sunday is another matter entirely. Sitting around on my fat American rump while eating fried foods, drinking beer and criticizing the performance of men who are obviously my genetic superiors? I get that. And so does House of Blues. This year, the…
Dragon heads up Chinese New Year
Time for New Year’s Eve all over again? This time it’s the Chinese New Year’s Eve, on Feb. 6, the one that ushers in the promise of the year 4698. This will be “The Year of the Dragon,” and good fortune supposedly falls on those who observe the transition with a bang. So take advantage…
