It's nevicating!A longtime resident recalls the true mother of all Rome snowfalls, which also came in February, but in the long-gone and mostly forgotten 1980s.  Crisis mealsLast fall Silvio Berlusconi said restaurants were full. But winter has changed the story line.  Checkmate, we loseThe IRS is closing in on its offshore funds endgame. But is it really a victory?  EsageratoTraveling to American with groups (of Italians) can try both patience and reason.  Salacious VictoriansEmma Donoghue re-evokes sexual longing in mid-19th century England. Inside Look
SANTA SUSANNA: Sacred textsPARADISE: The rashLOVE: Sam and DaveBRUSSELS: Tasty drizzleGOD: An eviction notice |
FEATURES
Area 51He lies!Obama-hating still lurks deep in the American magma. To what end is unclear. La StranieraPricelessWhen you decide to take a break from bashing the Italian health system, read this. A Napoli13 JanuaryThe moment a language turns foreign is when you have to speak it. American GirlToo closeOn a date, a meeting, charm, twilight, and finally outright darkness. Milan NotebookNingaOnce upon a time, around the world didn't take 80 days. More like a lifetime. Man About RomeOut you goWhen it comes to religious belief, the author would much prefer an honest intellect. LAW
Closing ArgumentCheckmate, we loseIRS efforts to recover taxes on offshore accounts could damage American interests abroad. LIVING
ParenthoodAuf WiedersehenAn open letter to Heidi Klum: "Why the $#&* are you breaking up?" Bella Figura(Slow) motionWhen traveling with Italians, bring a back-up plan, a doctor, and a cure for anxiety. WonderlandKindnessForget supermarket road rage, it seems like Americans are smiling more. L-WordSam and DaveDave was fluent in a number of languages, but English wasn't one of them. That's QueerHorizontal or vertical?A gay mountain "vacation" in Italy can put you up against any number of problems. TRAVEL
History 102Tap-tap-tap-tap-tapFor F. Scott Fitzerald, Rome nights in the mid-1920s were anything but tender. The HikerLord of PanaroIn Parco Regionale Sassi di Roccamalatina, keep an eye open for Gandalf. NomadBrussels-boundNever mind the EU, what about salty escargot mingled with fried sweets? At LargeEx librisIf you love books and reading and live in Rome, Santa Susanna is a welcome oasis. MUSIC
TracksAnticipationEarly-year teases (Matthew Dear, FNU Ronnies, The Internet) hint at the year ahead. |
FOOD&WINE
In ProvinciaNot too fast!Umbria in winter is roast and rest time, though the restfulness is relative. In CucinaThe pinchWith money tight, picking and choosing carefully becomes essential to eating out. Suzanne's TastePenne finaliThe end of days provokes reflections, and some last supper questions. ApiciusWho said simple?Though tomato sauce is essential, there is no one, agreed-upon way to make it. Tasting NotesA perfect endIf you're closing your Italian meal with Vin Santo, know what to want and expect. Da GermanoCesarinoOne cook's foray into making less well-known Italian food famous. FILM
PICKS&PUNTS: HomicideJoe Mantegna is memorably bewildered in Mamet's odd "crime" caper. MUST SEE: MoneyballBrad Pitt and Joshua King give career performances in a film that transcends sports. ON FILM: Coaches, kings and foolsWayne, McKellan and Newman are suitably stellar in a great triple-header. BOOKS 
SCRIPTORIUM: Inside Victorian closetsEmma Donoghue's "The Sealed Letter" packs a salacious Victorian punch. THE A-LIST: FontamaraSilone's semi-autobiographical novel about the ethics of fascism remains haunting. RECENT RELEASES: The Third ReichRoberto Bolaņo's posthumously published novel has little of his trademark wit. |
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February 4, 2012 | Rome, Italy | Fog, -1°C
