Fate crimes
“In other markets this event has drawn 14- to 15-year-old girls,” huffs a walkie-talkied mall representative, seemingly baffled by the overwhelming presence of “ballers, ballers” at the Destiny’s Child record-signing here in the Big Florida Mall. Boys can be bad, and there’s a palpably libidinous hiss spewing through the crowd of onlookers in the Burdines…
Football flick doesn’t tackle tough realities
Movie: Remember the Titans
Football flick doesn’t tackle tough realities
Movie: Remember the Titans
Sweet-talking Jewish history
On the shelves barely in time for Rosh Hashana, which begins at sundown Friday, Sept. 29, is the new book by author, chef, historian and rabbi Gil Marks: “The World of Jewish Desserts: More Than 300 Delectable Recipes From Jewish Communities From Alsace to India” (Simon & Schuster, $30, 384 pages). More than an abundance…
Gore, Hammer, Ghadafi
Armand Hammer is one of the 20th century’s most intriguing villains, with overlapping careers as an art dealer/huckster, oilman and banker to Soviet spies. Hammer bribed his way to prominence, cultivating powerful men who in turn helped him. Some of those favors had a profound impact on history, as illustrated by a letter Gore’s father,…
Over a barrel
The Crisis hit last week. You could tell it was a big deal by the way the New York Times ran 14 stories on the subject over three days. After months of dickering — but just a day after Vice President Al Gore asked him to — President Clinton ordered the release of 30 million…
A legacy to forget
Spaceship Earth has hit the road. This Epcot icon — in hot-air balloon form — is currently on a nationwide tour, as the Mouse makes a last-ditch effort to lure tourists to Disney World’s 15-month-long millennium event before the plug is pulled in December. Commercials warn that “time’s running out to get in on this…
Dinner for two
Congressman Bill McCollum owes me a dinner. In fact, I’ve been waiting for him to set the date for about two years now. Ever since he trounced me by a 2-to-1 margin (for the second straight time) in the race for Florida’s 8th Congressional District seat. OK, I admit it: At first, I didn’t want…
Down and out
On Jan. 21, more than 30 hooded Orlando Police Department officers and agents of the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco descended on 414 Liquors to conduct a search warrant at the 50-year-old Parramore Avenue tavern. For the most part, the operation looked routine. In this case, the two bar owners — a 42-year-old…
To hell and back
Those who can’t afford real magazines and so read this column regularly may remember that last week I mentioned reading “The Exorcist” when I was 11 years old. It was a terrible idea for a kid who was more easily shaken than an Etch-a-Sketch. It caused me to stop sleeping and live like a pageant…
