Christmas in Wisconsin

Omaha-based Mulberry Lane sings a tribute to the winter holiday in the Badger State. I do not know whose house is shown in the video.

Wally's Falafel & Hummus - Minneapolis, MN

A tasty selection of middle eastern fare can be found at Wally's (423 14th Ave. SE) in Dinkytown. Shown here is a sampler with (clockwise from upper left) tabbouleh (تبولة‎), pita, falafel (فلافل), fries, baba ghanoush (بابا غنوج), vegetable garnish, hummus (حمّص), and lentil soup (شوربة العدس). Yum! (If you aren't sure what the items are, click on the name for an explanation.)

Happy Hanukkah!

Light the menorah, spin the dreidel, give the gelt, and fry the latkes. It's Hannukkah! Enjoy Debbie Friedman's celebration of the holiday with pictures put to the music by someone with too much time on their hands.

I Was Told There'd Be Cake

Essayist Sloane Crosley's first published collection is an entertaining read. While the writing is not as sophisticated as David Rakoff's, the stories not as memorable as David Sedaris' early works, or the accounts as informative as Sarah Vowell's, the essays are still enjoyable. In this clip she is reading selections from her book. Remember the Oregon Trail computer game? So does Sloane! You'll also find out the origin of the meaning of the title: I was Told There'd be Cake.

Deleece - Chicago, IL

Caramelized salmon, pan roasted served with Chinese

sticky black rice, spinach, leeks and pear-ginger sauce

Deleece (4004 N. Southport) was a pleasant surprise. Going only because of a discount coupon, I enjoyed the interesting combination of flavors served "curb-side" on the sidewalk. I would definitely go again... and I have another coupon, too!

Nickel & Dimed

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America is an interesting and thought-provoking book to read. Written by Barbara Ehrenreich in the late 1990s, she recounts her experience working low wage jobs in Florida (waiting tables), Maine (house keeping), and Minnesota (retail). She tries to make ends meet without using her savings and documents the difficulties of the effort. All the stories are well-written, the outcome is expected and Ehrenreich doesn't provide many new insights into how we can really make life better for the working underclass. Nonetheless, I would recommend reading the book if only to remind you of the substantial efforts of those we can sometimes overlook. She is the author of many other books which I just might have to read if I have a chance!

Kitsch'n on Roscoe - Chicago, IL

Since 1998, Kitsch'n On Roscoe (2005 W Roscoe St.) offers a relaxed & casual neighborhood-style space offering an award-winning brunch and comfort food menu available all day, plus a full bar with a hip 70's "funk-ploitation" theme & too many tongue-in-cheek cultural decor references to mention (beer can collections, lava lamps, Billy Dee Williams "Colt 45" lighted signs, vintage lunchboxes, H&R Puff'n Stuff action figures, etc). [from restaurant webpage]

Fried Chicken & Waffles

Two pieces of Belgian Waffle served with fried chicken and a side of ancho-honey.

The place definitely lives up to it's name: There is "kitsch" galore!

Fargo, ND

North Dakota is home to the largest city named "Fargo" in the United States. Fargo, North Dakota, is home to approximately 100,000 residents and the core city of the Fargo-Moorhead area with nearly twice that population. Fargo, Arkansas (pop. 188); Fargo, California (now abandoned); Fargo, Georgia (pop. 380); and Fargo, Oklahoma (pop. 326) do not come close in size to the city made (in)famous by the 1996 movie.

Broadway in downtown Fargo. Condos are developed by

the Kilbourne Group. The Fargo Theatre marquee on the right.

View of downtown Fargo from the public library.

Circulation desk at the new Fargo Public Library

(Designed by Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle)

Patrick's Bakery & Cafe - Minneapolis, MN

Set amidst the floral, garden, and gift selections of Bachman's flagship store, is one location of Patrick's Bakery & Cafe (6010 Lyndale Ave.). After looking over the cases with a variety of pastries and other goodies, customers order at the counter and then relax at a table among the flowering plants until the food is served. It is unexpectedly pleasant considering you're dining in a garden center!

Patrick's promotes themselves on their website: The cafe features an amazing selection of Patrick Bernet's made-fresh daily selections of French breads, baguettes, country bread, 7-grain breads, petites and grandes boules; and speciality breads like Tomato Provencal and Roasted Red Pepper. Croissants, pain au chocolat, apricot soleil and glistening pineapple danish (Patrick's personal favorite) will be available every day. The individual pastries offered are irresistible. You'll find wonderful standards, like eclairs, napoleons, fruit tarts and creme brulees, and tantalizing Patrick's specialties that are beyond description, including the Trilogy Chocolate cake, Feuillantine Pralinee and Tiramisu.

Bouchee a la Reine: Flaky puff pastry filled with chicken, chives,

mushrooms and dumplings in a creamy sauce

Apple Chibouste Tart

Nearly vacant just before closing

Between the Folds

"Between the Folds" chronicles the stories of 10 fine artistis and intrepid scientists who abandoned careers and scoffed at hard-earned graduate degrees - all to forge unconventional lives as modern-day paperfolders. The film paints an arresting portrait of the remarkable artistic and scientific creativity that fuels this ever-changing art form, fusing science and sculpture, form and function, ancient and new.

I arranged with Vanessa Gould, the writer/producer/director of the film, to have a screening at a conference I recently coordinated. It was very interesting! I have also met or been in a conference session with some of the featured artists/scientists: Erik Demaine (and his dad), Tom Hull, Robert Lang.

Africa

Toto's Africa (arranged by Tomaž Kozlevčar) performed live at Vokal Xtravaganzza (October 2008) by Perpetuum Jazzile, an a cappella jazz ensemble from Slovenia.

Egg Harbor Cafe - Lake Geneva, WI

Egg Harbor Cafe (827 Main St.) is a small chain of 15 locations in NE Illinois (and SE Wisconsin). They describe their "concept" as follows:

The concept of Egg Harbor Café is a restaurant specializing in gourmet

breakfast and lunch creations from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily, in a warm,

charming country setting, with fast, friendly, and efficient service.

From my experience at the Lake Geneva location, I say they mostly achieve their concept. The breakfast I ordered was delicious and, although "gourmet" might be a bit of a stretch, it was topped with fresh fruit. It was quite busy but the wait wasn't too long due to the "fast, friendly, and efficient service." There was nothing pretentious about the restaurant. It seemed like a place equally comfortable to old and young.

Lake Geneva, WI

Lake Geneva is a resort city on the shores of Geneva Lake in southeastern Wisconsin. Railroad access from Chicago made the area a popular summer retreat for the barons of wealth in lumber, cattle, oil, steel, cement, manufacturing, and durable goods (Morton Salt, Wrigley Chewing Gum, etc.), with mansions and large homes built on the lake during the heyday of the roaring 20s.

A path along the lake allows visitors to observe several of the large homes built overlooking the water. Geneva Lake is 8.6 square miles, 9 miles long, and between 3 miles and ½ mile wide. It is 152 feet at the deepest point.

Stone Manor (below), officially Younglands, the 18,000 square foot Italianate palace with a 250' veranda and an expansive lawn, is visible from downtown Lake Geneva. The estate was built in 1900-1901 by Otto Young, a man who made his fortune buying real estate along State Street in Chicago following the great fire of 1871. It was constructed for over $1,000,000 and has features such as gold-plated fixtures, a basement bowling alley, and a third floor miniature golf course. The property was a single family home until 1939 when it was presented to the order of St. Anne to be used as an Episcopalian private school for girls. The school was discontinued after only a few years. Later the mansion housed a French restaurant. Around the 1980's the mansion and remaining property were purchased for back taxes, reportedly for $74,000. It has recently been restored and converted to 6 condominiums ranging in price up to $1.6 million.

Original Pancake House - Madison, WI

I am typically a fan of the complete experience at the Original Pancake House (5518 University Avenue). I have been to the original Original Pancake House in Portland, OR, in addition to dining at locations in Chicago, Champaign, and elsewhere. Each one has a little different decor - not a typical "cookie-cutter" franchise - but the food is usually reliably satisfying. Their specialties - Apple Pancake or Dutch Baby - are always considered. On my last visit, I thought I'd branch out and try something new. It turned out to be a mistake as I didn't care much for my choice. Next time I'll stick with something familiar.

Scrambled Eggs with a mushroom Gravy & Potato Pancakes

(I can't remember the flavors in the gravy, but I didn't care for it)

Web Site Story

Anyone who has used google earth, hulu, twitter, facebook, pandora, eharmony, evite, or a blog might find this amusing. (Click on graphic to watch video)

Flesor's Candy Kitchen - Tuscola, IL

Tucked away on a corner in downtown Tuscola is Flesor's Candy Kitchen (101 West Sale St.). This is a resurrection of a family's locally famous soda fountain and confectionary business located in its original site. In addition to hand-dipped chocolates and other candies, a soda fountain and bistro are housed in the store.

Italian Beef Sandwich

The shop is long and narrow with dark woodwork and booths, a tin ceiling, and hanging lamps. It is a nice change of pace from food fast joints normally located along the interstate.

María de Buenos Aires

I attended the Allerton Music Barn Festival at Allerton Park this week. This was the third annual festival, held over Labor Day Weekend, but my first time in attendance. The performance space is the second floor of a century-old barn. Folding chairs are set up and musicians perform on a temporary stage. The musicians were mostly from the University of Illinois (faculty and students). This was my introduction to Astor Piazzolla's music and the tango operita, María de Buenos Aires, in particular. The youtube clip gives you a taste of the musical style with one song from the production. (These are not the performers I saw.) One of the signature sounds of Piazzolla's music is from the bandoneón.

María has been added to my personal list of (concert length) "classical favorites" which also includes Porgy & Bess (Gershwin), Carmina Burana (Orff), Mass (Bernstein), and Suite for Klezmer Band & Orchestra (Sid Robinovitch).

Crystal Cathedral - Garden Grove, CA

Three structures by noted architects are located at the site of a former drive-in movie theatre turned drive-in church turned megachurch in Orange County, California. Located in Garden Grove (12141 Lewis St.), the Crystal Cathedral is the home base for the international Crystal Cathedral Ministries, including a congregation of over 10,000 members and the internationally televised "Hour of Power."

This is the bell tower of the oldest existing structure on the grounds. It was designed by Richard Neutra. The structure around the bell tower was designed so the preacher could preach simultaneously to an in-church congregation and a drive-in congregation - a walk-in/drive-in church. A glass wall could open to the outdoors, allowing the preacher to be seen in an elevated pulpit by persons in parked cars. In 1968, the 13-story Richard Neutra-designed Tower of Hope opened. With a 90-foot-tall neon-lit cross as its crown, the Tower of Hope was Orange County's tallest building for more than a decade.

The visitors center was designed by Richard Meier (note architectural similarities to the Getty Center). There is a gift shop, lounge, exhibit space, and restaurant in this building.

The Crystal Cathedral (a portion visible on right above) and nearby bell tower (left) have a complimentary style. The Cathedral was designed by architect Philip Johnson. The Crystal Cathedral spans a full 415-feet in length, 207-feet in width and 128-feet in height. The size of the Cathedral is enhanced by the all-glass covering that encloses the entire building. More than 10,000 windows of tempered, silver-colored glass are held in place by a lace-like frame of white steel trusses. These 16,000 trusses were specifically fabricated for this engineering feat. The sanctuary seats 2,736 persons including 1,761 seats on the main floor, 346 seats in the East and West Balconies, and 283 in the South Balcony.

On the tenth anniversary of the Cathedral, September 16, 1990, a 236-foot Bell Tower was dedicated. One of Orange County's tallest structures, the tower is comprised of highly polished, mirrored quality, stainless steel prisms forming a spectacular spire which catches the light from all directions. This Philip Johnson-designed completion of the Crystal Cathedral houses a 52-bell carillon. At the base of the structure is an intimate prayer chapel.

The Cathedral pipe organ is the third largest church pipe organ in the world. There are 287 ranks of pipes and over 16,000 individual pipes, all playable from two five-manual consoles. White oak cases hold the nearly 11,000 pipes in the chancel area. Included there is a rank of forty-four 32-foot pedal pipes. The South Balcony divisions of the organ contain 5,000 pipes, and in the East and West Balconies are 549 horizontal trumpet pipes-the largest collection of such pipes in the world. I can personally attest to the audio power of the organ. It is nearly impossible to talk over the sound of it when inside.

Philippe's - Los Angeles, CA

Philippe's (1001 N. Alameda St.) has been a Los Angeles dining tradition for over 100 years. It has been at its current location - one block north of Union Station - since 1951.

Philippe's "French Dipped Sandwich" is the specialty of the house and consists of either roast beef, roast pork, leg of lamb, turkey or ham served on a lightly textured, freshly baked French roll which has been dipped in the natural gravy of the roasts. Swiss, American, Monterey Jack or Blue cheese may be added. To accompany your sandwich they offer a tart, tangy cole slaw, homemade potato and macaroni salads, hard boilded eggs pickled in beet juice and spices, large Kosher style, sour dill or sweet pickles, black olives, and hot yellow chili peppers. Philippe's also prepares and serves close to 300 pounds of pigs feet every week. About 40 gallons of their own hot mustard is prepared twice weekly. They advise it to be used sparingly as it is a truly very hot French mustard.

The place was very busy over the weekday lunch hour when we visited. Several lines extend from the counter between long tables with stools. Sawdust covers the floor. Other tables and chairs are on the side or second level of the building.

Getty Center - Los Angeles, CA

The Getty Center, in Los Angeles, California, is one of two locations of the J. Paul Getty Museum. The museum's permanent collection includes pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; and 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographs". Among the works on display is the painting Irises by Vincent van Gogh. The Center, which opened on December 16, 1997, is also well known for its architecture, gardens, and views. Besides the Museum, the Center's buildings house the Getty Research Institute, the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Foundation, and the administrative offices of the J. Paul Getty Trust, which owns and operates the Center.

(Satellite image from the web)

Richard Meier was the architect of the Center. The Center opened to the public on December 16, 1997, after several delays. Although the total project cost was estimated to be $350 million as of 1990, it was later estimated to be $1.3 billion. The guide on our architectural tour said it was paid for with only the investment income of the Getty Trust; none of the principal was used.

Richard Meier has exploited two naturally occurring ridges (which diverge at a 22.5 degree angle) by overlaying two grids along these axes. These grids serve to define the space of the campus while dividing the import of the buildings on it. Along one axis lie the galleries and along the other axis lie the administrative buildings. The primary grid structure is a 30-inch square; most wall and floor elements are 30-inch squares or some derivative thereof. The buildings at the Getty Center are made from concrete and steel with either travertine or aluminium cladding.

The 134,000-square-foot Central Garden at the Getty Center is the work of artist Robert Irwin. Irwin was quoted as saying that the Central Garden "is a sculpture in the form of a garden, which aims to be art". A tree-lined walkway descends to a plaza, while water in a stream criss-crosses the walkway, continues through the plaza, and goes over a stone waterfall into a round pool. A maze of azaleas floats in the pool (see picture below), around which is a series of specialty gardens. More than 500 varieties of plant material are used for the Central Garden, but the selection is "always changing, never twice the same".

Admission to the museum and gardens is free of charge although there is a $15 fee to park. The museum has a seven-story deep underground parking garage with over 1,200 parking spaces. An automated three-car tram takes passengers to and from the museum.

A cactus garden anchors the south end of the complex. Visitors have views of Los Angeles toward the Pacific Ocean (above), Westwood (below, near) and downtown Los Angeles (below, in the distance). The campus consists of 24 acres on a 110-acre site in the Santa Monica Mountains above Interstate 405.

Time 4 Three

Time For Three (Tf3) was one of the featured groups performing with the Chicago Symphony in the concert I attended at Ravinia. Tf3 is a musical trio consisting of Violinists Zachary De Pue and Nicolas Kendall and bassist Ranaan Meyer. Their music has elements of classical, country/Western, gypsy and jazz. I was familiar with Zach having seen him at work as concertmaster of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. This was my first time hearing him play with the trio. At the Ravinia concert they performed Concerto 4-3 with the orchestra, a piece written especially for them by Jennifer Higdon. She was also in attendance which was a nice surpise. The concert was conducted by Christoph Eschenbach. To hear more music by Tf3, check out their myspace page.

Ravinia Festival - Highland Park, IL

Ravinia Festival, the oldest outdoor music festival in the United States, is held at Ravinia Park in Highland Park, Illinois. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1936. A series of outdoor (and some indoor) concerts are held every summer from June through September.

Most attendees experience Ravinia on the 36 acre parkland and lawn. The unique setting allows for open seating and picnicking, where families and attendees can choose to use as much (or little) space as they need, with a powerful sound system broadcasting the live performance throughout the park. Most attendees choose to bring complete picnics and dinners to shows, with various lawn chairs, coolers full of food, blankets, candles, and lawn accessories in tow.

The Pavilion is a 3,200-seat venue where the park's major music events and concerts, including Chicago Symphony Orchestra performances, are held. Patrons can see the shows in a traditional concert setting in an open-air theater with state-of-the-art sound, video and lighting equipment or choose to sit in the lawn area and listen to the music while picnicking.

I chose to sit in the Pavilion for the concert I attended. This is the view from my seat! It was a little hard to see the musicians at the back of the stage but images from cameras filming the event were projected onto large television monitors. The music sounded the same!

Several restaurants (from fine dining to cafeteria-style) and food carts are located throughout the park. I opted for the caferteria-style Ravinia Market. While edible, the noodles and skewered chicken were far less memorable than the music performed at the concert.

I was impressed with the Ravinia experience and would definitely return. The lawn was packed with people at the beginning although most had left by the end of the concert since it had started to rain quite hard - a definite disadvantage of sitting outdoors. Lawn tickets are only $5 or $10 depending on the performance so it does make a high-quality musical experience accessible for anyone regardless of budget.

Jasmine 26 - Minneapolis, MN

Jasmine 26 (8 East 26th Street) has a contemporary take on Vietnamese food. Lunch and dinner are reasonably priced and seating is available either indoors or outdoors. There are familiar offerings of soup, salad, noodles, and rice along with several specialty entrees. I opted for a "safe" choice of fried rice although I later wished I had tried something more exotic. The happy hour menu has several good options at a very reasonable price, too.

Spring Rolls Wrapped with leaf lettuce, vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts, and mint in rice paper

sriracha fried rice Spicy fried rice with onion, green peas, diced carrots, & chicken

Allerton Park - Monticello, IL

Robert Allerton (1873 - 1964) stood to inherit a stockyard and banking fortune from his father, Samuel Allerton, ranked as Chicago's third wealthiest man of his day. Robert took an interest in literature, music, gardening, and visual arts from his step-mother (and aunt) after his widowed father married his late wife's sister. The family lived on Prairie Avenue, neighbors to the Marshall Fields, the Pullmans, and the Armours. Instead of going to college, Robert went with a friend to study art in Europe for over 5 years. Upon his return from Europe, Robert told his father he wanted to be a farmer. With his vast wealth, Robert's father bought land in Piatt County of Illinois. Through inheritance, purchase, and trade, "The Farms" consisted of 12,000 acres by 1914. He hired managers to run the farm while he built a home and gardens along the Sangamon river running through the tract. In 1946 he donated over 5000 acres including the home and gardens and land to provide income for the maintenance of the property to the University of Illinois. Today, approximately 1500 acres of "The Farms" comprise the Allerton Park & Retreat Center.

In 1898, Robert went to England to visit country houses and landscaped gardens. From this visit he planned his home together with friend and architect, John J. Borie. Construction began in 1899 and the house was more or less completed in 1900. The brick and stone exterior, the modified H plan, and the long gallery are all characteristics that recall seventeenth-century English precedents, in particular Ham House at Richmond, Surrey. Allerton wanted to see earth, sky, and water from every room. The main rooms open to terraces, lawns, and a formal pool. From his bedroom window, Robert could see the meadow, the reflecting pond, and the Sangamon River.

Several formal gardens surround the house. Each has a collection of statues, hedges, and other plantings. Many of these were designed in collaboration with his in-live architect and protege (and son, adopted as an adult), John Gregg.

Allerton is operated under the guidance of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Allerton Mansion (Retreat Center) is used as a retreat and conference facility by University, state, and corporate clients. The natural areas of the Park are used by a variety of University departments, as well as other universities and conservation agencies, for environmental study and for participatory student interactions. Public programs, with a strong environmental emphasis, are available throughout the year. Private events, like weddings and picnics, can be held at the Park.

The Fu Dog Garden was originally designed in 1932 to display Robert Allerton's collection of Chinese Fu Dogs. Twenty-two blue, ceramic Fu Dogs are perched atop concrete pedestals which form the focal point of the garden. Opposing double rows of fir trees (44 in all) define the outer borders of the garden space and are under planted with clusters of white flowers. Although much of it has grown over since it was originally planted, a restoration process has begun.

The Gatehouse is at the entrance to the drive leading to the main house. Allerton Park is an intriguing place to visit. It is not customary to find this type of lavish living in the "middle of a cornfield." Yet, the place is no longer (if it ever was?) at its prime. Many of the gardens are overgrown and time has taken its toll on several of the statues.

Drake Brothers - Chicago, IL

Drake Bros. (140 East Walton Place) is one of five restaurants in the historic Drake Hotel on the north end of Chicago's "Magnificent Mile". The location serves breakfast or lunch overlooking North Michigan Avenue on the east and Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive on the north. Although more expensive than my usual choices, the food tasted good, the servers were attentive, and the atmosphere was comfortable.

New England Clam Chowder

Niçoise Salmon: white beans, tomato confit, olives, fried artichoke hearts, lemon brown butter

Monument Circle - Indianapolis, IN

The Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is the focal point of "Monument Circle" in the center of Indianapolis, IN. The 284 feet tall neoclassical monument is made of oolitic limestone and bronze. It was erected to honor Hoosiers who were veterans of the American Revolution, territorial conflicts that partially led up to the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the US Civil War, and the Spanish American War.

(This picture borrowed from the wikipedia entry for the monument.)

Most buildings around the circle are rounded. The building below selected lights for the windows that fit the Independence Day theme.

Several restaurants are located on or near the circle. The entrance to the Indianapolis Symphony's home is on the circle. There is also a bank and radio station. The dome of the state capitol building is framed by the buildings lining the few blocks to the west of the monument.

Looking up at the statues on the monument at night (above) and toward the monument on a cloudy day (below).