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James Duggan
copyright 2008
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It's hard to believe that the holidays are upon us what with Chanukah starting in just ten days and Christmas a short two weeks away . . . and me with no shopping done.
I've always favored this time of year; putting up lights, listening to Christmas music, exchanging gifts, and sharing special time with my friends and family all give me great joy. Even the cold weather puts a spring in my step.
I grew up on Long Island in a mixed family, being raised a Catholic by a part Scottish part English mother, who herself was raised a Southern Baptist in Georgia, and an Irish/Swedish Brooklynite father who was raised Catholic. Our neighbors were either Catholic, Protestant or Jewish . . . it was easy to tell us all apart this time of year . . . the Jews had a signal menorah in their window, the Catholics had the manager, and the Protestants used just lights . . . this was perhaps the only time of year that I really noticed a difference between us.
Back then I really loved Christmas Midnight Mass and all that it offered us Catholics; the great story of Mary and Joseph's journey of faith that leads to the glorious birth of Jesus, our songs of joy, the incense lifting our prayers to the heavens, yes our Savior has been born. Alleluia!
In my late teens I found out that Christmas was not the actual birth day of Jesus but rather a date that was taken from pagan celebrations of the Winter Solstice to help them in their transition (conversation) to Christianity. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture. In Northern Europe the pagans celebrated their own winter solstice, known as Yule. And our friends the Druids used the evergreen tree as a religious symbol, holding their sacred ceremonies amidst the arboreal splendor.
In the '90's (aka my theology years) while reading new research by E.L. Martin, in The Star that Astonished the World I found that the actual date was more like June 17, 2 BC. This date has recently been validated by an Australian astronomer using a modern scientific study. But I digress . . . regardless of the date I still love to recall and celebrate the Christmas story, in all its traditions.
Growing up with so many Jewish friends I grew to love the great Chanukah story that tells of the profound courage, strength, and determination of Judah Maccabee and his followers as they stood up to the Syrian king, Antiochus, who demanded they give up their god. Three years of battle ensued and the Maccabees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaiming the Temple in Jerusalem.
The story goes on to tells us that during the rededication of the Temple, Judah and his followers wanted to light the N'er Tamid, the eternal light . . . a light that once lit should never be extinguished. A tiny jug of oil was found, enough for just a single day. The lamp was lit. The miracle was that the oil burned for eight days.
Over the many years the stories of Christmas and Chanukah have encouraged me as I've journeyed along the road of self-discovery and self-understanding. Today they remind me of the need for belief in faith even while standing in the face of adversity. I've come to believe that when we chose to stand strong against oppression and root ourselves in the strength of our convictions we can expect the unexpected.
May each of us this season be open to the opportunity to hear those stories in our lifes that lead us to a deeper resolve and courage to be ourselves as we continue our journey to full equality. Perhaps their could be no greater gift.
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12th Street Gym |
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What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2008 |
 Gertrude Stein, one of the giants of literature, arts and culture of the twentieth century, and her lesbian partner, Alice B. Toklas, enjoyed life to the fullest. Though Stein was celebrated for many of her literary masterpieces, she wrote some lesser works such as "Money" and its sequel, what else but "More Money." She knew how to live and once wrote, "One of the joys of living is spending money." She ought to know, she did spend it, and did enjoy it.
What better time to follow Stein's philosophy of life when it comes to materials goods then during the holiday season, when I (and you) can indulge our joy of shopping and buying things for yours and even others who you might have never met or will meet by donating money and gifts to nonprofits and those less fortunate than ourselves.
For some of my favorite (and your) things for those you love and admire on your gift-giving list this season, I suggest that you visit the wonderful world of the beautiful and joyous at Lisa Reisman Gallery (one of favorite independent retailers), 1714 Rittenhouse Square, adjacent to the Art Alliance, off of South 17th Street in Philadelphia.
For discerning shoppers like us, Lisa Reisman herself has compiled a helpful list of must-have gifts that include a selection of more than 20 great items, all under $100. Artist-signed Peruvian Clay Pots cast in ancient forms with modern design and colors ($48); practical and stylish designed-by-Phillipi smart key chrome-cast key chains from Hamburg Germany ($30); D. L. & Co,'s
 The Linen Candle Box Collection: Driftwood, Orange Blossom Absolute and Bergamot ($85); Message in a Can from SMP New York - the coolest plant anyone will ever grow from scratch ($8); and SMP New York candles with scents of Chardonnay, Champagne, and Dark Chocolate ($28).
How about the look, the feel, the smell of leather--and we're talking fine Italian leather--handmade, bound journals and ensconced books ($48-80)? Or immortalize your favorite photographs in leather picture frames from Éccolo ($60). For the man who has almost everything, give him a leather-bound magnifying glass ($35). Or if you're not into leather, how about wood-inlaid and herringbone frames ($38).
 Jewelry and trinkets for her or him?  accessories ($14); and Europe enamel barrettes with embedded Swarovski crystal with French clips ($45-65) and crafted bracelets ($45-65), pillboxes ($30) and letter openers ($35).
There's plenty of stylish things for the home, too, like tabletop items such as a uniquely crafted asymmetrical salad bowl ($65) and smart, colorful, stylish magazine racks from Germany's SemiKolon ($14).
For more information, call 215.735.2781; or visit lisart.com
 For the foodies on your list who have literally everything in that stunningly well-equipped "dream kitchen" or diners who only ever make "reservations" to indulge in the city's finest restaurants, how about a "food experience" that's educational, interactive and enjoyable, too!
THAT "perfect" gift would be gift certificates from City Food Tours for its gourmet food tasting tours, beer tasting tours and evening wine tasting tours. Right now they're offering 15% off through December 15 on the regular ticket price.
I can personally recommend enjoying the discoveries that the tour guides will share with you on any of these various themed tours.
Enjoy! Happy Holidays! Joy to the World!
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Seven Reasons to Advertise on the Qt |
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Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation |
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Cookbooks For The Holidays |
 Hot off the presses, "Wishing You a Merry 'Christmas Beer': The Cheeriest, Tastiest, and Most Unusual Holiday Brews" (Universe) by Don Russell, one of our nation's leading beer experts, award-winning columnist of "Joe Sixpack," that appears weekly in The Philadelphia Daily News, and worldwide traveler in search of beers and stories, is about as nostalgic and fun-loving collection of brewing traditions for celebrating Christmas around the world.
Giving dignity and importance to beer, Russell writes: "A great beer is more than just a glass of suds. It's full of character and nuance; it's the product of careful craftsmanship; it's a vital part of our cuisine; it's a reflection of culture and history."
Russell educates readers as well as shares his passion about the holiday beer culture--and industry. Like collectors (and consumers) of rare wines and aged rums, sharing with us this unique aspect of the special brewing productivity at holiday season. "Some [holiday beers] are brewed in such limited quantities that you practically have to be waiting at the brewery gates to get a taste."
 It's a man's world, only figuratively (sort of), in "Mastering the Grill: The Owner's Manual for Outdoor Cooking" (Chronicle Books), co-authored by Andrew Schloss and David Joachim, is definitely a guy's cookbook. Besides the more than 300 great-tasting recipes, it offers tons of tips and techniques so that the reader can "grill like a pro" like the team of Schloss-Joachim promises.
The how-to big fat book is heavily illustrated with color photographs to help home chefs. The authors have Philadelphia roots despite their national culinary celebrity status.
Who else but Morimoto would claim to introduce "Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking" (DK Publishing) to the world, in his cookbook. The Food Network's Japanese "Iron Chef" and "Iron Chef America" approaches cooking like a theatrical performance, with pressure, stress, and demand to deliver something wonderful and memorable.
But fear not--his beautifully designed book is instructive for home chefs wishing to learn the basics of Japanese cooking.
 In 2007, the darling of cookbooks was "Delilah's Everyday Soul: Southern Cooking with Style" (Running Press) by Delilah Winder, African-American chef/owner of the now-closed Bluezette, Delilah's on Market and Delilah's Southern Cuisine in Reading Terminal, Amtrak 30th Street Station and Philadelphia International Airport.
Beyond that there's nothing last year about this striking personal memoir of tastes, smells, style and cooking soul food that also paid homage to both the traditional and contemporary experience of preparing and eating Southern style made Winder a national star with her appearance on NBC's Today Show.
 Food Network celebrity "star" chef Bobby Flay has diners all razzle-dazzle at Bobby Flay Steak at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. "His Grilling for Life" (Scribner), with co-authors Stephanie Banyas and Sally Jackson, employs a number of health-minded techniques in the preparation of his recipes. It was voted one of the best 25 cookbooks for 2006 by the editors at Food & Wine magazine.
If you don't own it, it's still worth discovering how he creates bold flavors by incorporating herbs, spices and citrus zest to dishes like pork tenderloin with light coconut milk and non-fact yogurt.
Who doesn't like Italian food?
 Blessedly, celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich has compiled a stack of informative and entertaining cookbooks to her credit, including those editions that correspond with her popular PBS series, "Lidia's Italian Table" " Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen" and "Lidia's Family Table," all published by Knopf Publishing Group, for home chefs to recreate her celebrated, authentic and delicious recipes.
An industry unto herself, Bastianich also offers the "real deal" in her restaurants, including the wonderful property in the Arts District in Pittsburgh.
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EVENTS on the Qt! |
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NOW till Next Sunday (December 21)
 MANNA'S Pie in the SKY for the Holidays!
Why bake it yourself? Let MANNA do it for you! Choose from Apple Crumb, Pumpkin, Southern Pecan, Sweet Potato, and the new US Airways SkyPie (cheesecake topped with a dark chocolate ganache). The pies cost between $25 and $35, and each pie provides three meals to a MANNA client. Purchase pies for your holiday meal or as gifts for family, friends, co-workers, employees, or clients. Every helping helps!
Click here for more information or to order your pies. Pies are on sale until December 21 and will be available for pick-up on December 23 from 5-8pm at one of nine convenient locations in Philadelphia and surrounding areas, including:
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Fosters Homeware at 399 Market Street, Philadelphia
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TD Bank at 1900 Market Street, Philadelphia
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Saxbys Coffee in Abington
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Saxbys Coffee in Wayne
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Passariello's Pizzeria in Moorestown
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IKEA in Conshohocken
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IKEA in South Philly
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The GST Group Inc. in Bensalem
Click here for more information about the distribution sites.
MANNA is an organization that delivers nourishment to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses throughout the greater Philadelphia region and Southern New Jersey. For more information visit: mannapa.org
· Saturday (December 13)
 Girls Rock Philly & Mew Gallery present Shop, Rock, & Roll
2-6 PM @ Old Pine Community Center
401 Lombard Street, Philadelphia
Come on down and rock with some of the Girls Rock Philly (GRP) camper bands including Iron Tree and DJ Sassafrass! Do some holiday shopping while supporting local artists and crafters, or make your own stocking stuffers!
Sliding scale admission of $5-$10. Proceeds benefit Girls Rock summer camp! Tis the Season!
For more information visit GirlsRockPhilly.org or MewGallery.org
· Friday (December 19)
 Melt the Ice Benefit a Fund Raising Cabaret @ Pure Nightclub, 1221 St James Street, Philadelphia, PA - $10 cover - Proceeds benefits ActionAIDS and Equity Fights Aids. Doors open at 9:00 p.m. and the party continues until 3:30 a.m. Show starts at 11:00pm
The cast of the national touring company for 'A Chorus Line' will be stopping in Philadelphia, PA for a one night only special show with proceeds to benefit ActionAIDS of Philadelphia and Equity Fights AIDS of New York City. With an amazing and tantalizing show of song, dance and a few strip teases, this show is sure to entertain.
Melt the Ice also offers Pure Nightclub's $2 "pink drinks" until 11:00 p.m. and flavored shots throughout the night.
: Coming in January 2009
· Saturday (January 24)
 ASIAC (AIDS Services In Asian Communities) 2nd LUNAR NEW YEAR Celebration: A Banquet Fundraiser
Saturday, January 24, 2009 / 6PM-10PM
At Host Restaurant:
Wokano Restaurant
1100 Washington Avenue
Philadelphia PA
Featuring: 10 Course Asian Banquet, Silent Auction, Raffle
Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit ASIAC programs. For more Information or to RSVP please call 215.629.2300; or visit asiac.org
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Lift The Ban |
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What They Said: |
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 Princeton-born and raised singer/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter of her recently released, "Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of Christmas" (Zoe/Rounder) talked to Tom Wilk (ICON magazine, December, 2008) about her affection and affinity for holiday songs and her latest CD as well as such popular seasonal hits as "Christmas Time in the City": "I have done my share of busking on city street corners, which did inform my writing of this song, about 25 years ago. John Jennings and I wrote the new last verse during the course of this recording sessions, however. Basically I am trying to bring together the many different elements of a holiday scene: from the Salvation Army band, to the hurrying crowds to the noise of traffic, to the efforts of a solitary street singer. All of the characters were in their own worlds, yet they are brushed up against each other in some way."
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 Scream-teen, instant matinee idol and sexy vampire, Robert Pattison as Edward Cullen in the much-anticipated, novel-turned-movie, "Twilight", directed by Catherine Hardwicke, revealed his strengths and weaknesses as an actor to Philadelphia-based writer, Gary M. Kramer (OutFrontColorado, November 26, 2008), about the supernatural baseball scene, one of the highlights in the film, now screening nationwide: "I'm terrible at all sports. I'm completely mal-coordinated and I don't see the point in it. I had a baseball coach. Catherine was determined to make me look like a professional baseball player. I could not take it seriously. She said, 'You had to have a ready position,' so for the rest of the shoot, whenever there was confusion in my blocking. I was like, 'Look, I'll do it in my ready position.' The sex scene, or whatever, I'll do it in my ready position."
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 In "The 'Bitch' and the 'Ditz,' " (New York magazine, November 24, 2008), Amanda Fortini writes about Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama and the state of women in America, clarifying her point of view, with her article's subtitle, "How the Year of the Woman reinforced the two most pernicious sexist stereotypes and actually set women back." She concludes in the feature: "On the national political stage and in office buildings across the country, women find themselves regularly divided into dualities that are the modern equivalent of the Madonna-whore complex; the hard-ass or the lightweight, the battle-ax or the bubblehead, the serious, purse-lipped shrew or the silly, ineffectual girl. It is exceedingly difficult to sidestep the trap."
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I'm Glad I Never Said That:
John Fay's writing in an anti-gay marriage rant, in the University of Washington's paper, The Daily, which ran in the paper on November 25: "Now, there are several major problems with legalizing gay marriage," Fay writes. "Once you've legalized gay marriage, why not polygamy, incest, bestiality or any other form of union? If the only criteria is that people love each other, then who says it's wrong for a 70-year-old man to marry 10 underage girls?"
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