André Derain usually evokes cheerful scenes of sailboats bobbing up and down in the bright colors of a Mediterranean fishing port. Actually, Derain (1880-1954) is a complex artist, who had a strong influence on the evolving avant-garde movements at the start of the 20th century. The Pompidou Center is currently holding a retrospective titled, "Derain - 1904-1914. The radical … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: André Derain: Major Artist, “Fauvism” Champion Featured in Parisian Retrospective
Columnists
Reading Uncertainly? ‘Lab Girl’ by Hope Jahren
This month, let’s try an intensely introspective autobiography of a botanical scientist, wrapped in a biography of trees, flowers, and plants. Hope Jahren, a professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, writes the clear, coherent, and engaging story of her upbringing in Minnesota, her education, travel and work in California, Georgia, Maryland, and Hawaii, … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘Lab Girl’ by Hope Jahren
Letter From Paris: To Be or Not To Be [Independent] — The Catalonian Question
The tentative attempt by Catalonia to secede from Spain has failed - at least for now. But the attachment of the Catalan people to their identity is so strong that the fight for independence is far from over. The Catalonian regional elections on Dec. 21 are likely to take place in a very agitated, if not violent, context. The province of Catalonia has just lived through … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: To Be or Not To Be [Independent] — The Catalonian Question
Legal News You Can Use: Smartphones May be Causing More Car Accidents
Suisman Shapiro Sponsored Post — Traffic safety advocates believe that smartphones are causing more deadly car accidents in Connecticut and across the U.S., but new federal statistics show that distracted driving deaths actually declined in 2016. What is going on? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only 448 people were killed in … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Smartphones May be Causing More Car Accidents
Letter From Paris: The State of the Continent – A Snapshot of European Politics
Is the far right forging ahead in Europe? The political landscape of the European Union (EU) has shifted somewhat to the right during the past few months. At the core of this trend is the fear of losing one's identity following the recent surge of migrants. Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to open wide Germany's borders - and hence Europe's - has had a lasting impact. Max … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: The State of the Continent – A Snapshot of European Politics
Legal News You Can Use: Why Many Car Accidents Happen Close to Home
Suisman Shapiro Sponsored Post -- While many Connecticut drivers believe that those traveling long distances may be more likely to become involved in a car accident, the fact is that many crashes actually occur within 25 miles of home. Part of the reason many accidents occur near home is because driving in familiar places can cause drivers to rely on memory instead of what is … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Why Many Car Accidents Happen Close to Home
A la Carte: Mushrooms by the Million? Sounds Like Soup!
I am such a spoiled princess, even if I don’t have anyone around to spoil me. Because the temperature is dipping into the 40s at night, I opened two windows in the living room and one in the bedroom. Since I had turned on the central air in late May and hadn’t yet turned it off on the first of October, I thought I would go into this slowly. (Actually, I am not a spoiled … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Mushrooms by the Million? Sounds Like Soup!
A La Carte: Perfect Pork Chops with a Mustard Twist
Last week I bought a new grill cover for my Weber. I was a bit unhappy, since I have only had the grill for just over two years and the cover I bought with the expensive grill, is falling apart. I’m not sure I should he surprised, but I am getting to that age where I expect quality should last a while. At least I don’t start sentences by saying “When I was younger,” This, … [Read more...] about A La Carte: Perfect Pork Chops with a Mustard Twist
Reading Uncertainly: ‘Nutshell’ by Ian McEwan
Can you imagine an entire novel, spoken through the senses of a foetus, awaiting his entry into this world? McEwan’s opening sentence sets the stage: “Here I am, upside down in a woman.” From that point, this young man extols first the “condition of the modern foetus. Just think: nothing to do but be and grow, where growing is hardly a conscious act. The joy of pure … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly: ‘Nutshell’ by Ian McEwan
A La Carte: Apricots and Almonds Make Great Galette!
My mother always wanted to live in San Diego, but as far as she got was Troy, NY. She was born in the beginning of the 20th century, died in the beginning of the 21st century and was buried in an ecumenical cemetery not more than 20 blocks or so from where she lived her whole life. San Diego, she said, correctly, had the perfect climate: fairly sunny, warm in the daytime … [Read more...] about A La Carte: Apricots and Almonds Make Great Galette!
Reading Uncertainly? ‘Payoff’ by Dan Ariely
What is “motivation” and how does it affect our daily activity? Is motivation “central to our lives”? Dan Ariely, a professor of behavioral economics at Duke University, explores the human feeling of identification with and empathy for others, suggesting these two feelings help stimulate motivation, while their absence destroys it. This brief book (103 pages) combine stories … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘Payoff’ by Dan Ariely
A la Carte: When it’s Humid and Hot, Salmorejo Hits the Spot
Yes, it has been humid and hot, hot, hot. Usually at this point in late summer, I am sort of done with the beach. Last Saturday I went out to dinner with friends and to see a movie (“Wind River” is terrific. Don’t miss it.). Because we had decided to go to see the movie in Mystic, although it is not our favorite destination cinema hall (don’t like the recliners that don’t … [Read more...] about A la Carte: When it’s Humid and Hot, Salmorejo Hits the Spot
Legal News You Can Use: Proving Negligence in a Car Accident Case
SPONSORED POST: To recover compensation in a car accident case, a plaintiff must satisfy the required elements of a negligence claim: duty, breach, causation and damages. Specifically, the plaintiff must persuade the jury that the defendant breached his or her duty of care, resulting in injury, by a preponderance of the evidence standard. Element Two: Breach of Duty As we … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Proving Negligence in a Car Accident Case
A La Carte: You Can’t Beat Beets!
Not everyone likes beets. This is hard for me to understand. What’s not to like with beets. My mother didn’t like vegetables. I found this later in life, when I asked my mother why we I didn’t have vegetables, canned or fresh, except for sweet corn and tomatoes in the summer and canned green beans and canned peas in the fall, winter and spring. Simple, she explained. She didn’t … [Read more...] about A La Carte: You Can’t Beat Beets!
A La Carte: Corn Chowder with Lobster Makes Perfect Ending to Beach Day
There are beach days and there are beach days. I am not sure there has ever been a summer that didn’t include a salt-water vacation. As a baby, toddler and teenager, there was Belmar, N.J. I had Angrist and Kasdan cousins who lived there full-time, although the two Angrist brothers worked in New York City, one as a librarian at CCNY and the other a pathologist at Albert … [Read more...] about A La Carte: Corn Chowder with Lobster Makes Perfect Ending to Beach Day