Like many of his fans across the land, I dialed up “Hoosiers,” the 1985 film about small-town Indiana basketball, to honor the film’s star, Gene Hackman, and to remember him after his passing at 95 in his acting glory. He comes into the story right away, during opening credits, arriving at Hickory High School in … Continue reading Eternal Coach: Remembering Gene Hackman for his role in ‘Hoosiers’
Photo Gallery: G. Krug & Son of Baltimore, forging history
Peter Krug, the fifth generation of Krugs at the old ironworks on West Saratoga Street, took me through his shop one recent morning. After the tour, upstairs and down, I concluded that no place in Baltimore has a richer feel of yesterday, so real you can touch it and come away with dust on your … Continue reading Photo Gallery: G. Krug & Son of Baltimore, forging history
Looking to help Ukraine? Here’s what’s happening, groups you can support.
I first spoke with Peter Charchalis shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and found him knowledgeable of Ukraine’s history and its modern political and cultural life. Peter was born in Baltimore to parents who had fled Ukraine at the end of World War II, when it was part of the Soviet Union. He lived … Continue reading Looking to help Ukraine? Here’s what’s happening, groups you can support.
Feeling blue? Read Angela Cook’s poem
There were many good, interesting and moving poems presented at Baltimore's historic Senator Theatre the other night -- poetry and prose from members of one of the Glenwood Life Counseling Center recovery groups -- but the one I offer in this space, as a tonic for our troubled times, is "The Color Blue" by Angela … Continue reading Feeling blue? Read Angela Cook’s poem
Winter canaries
Just a quick note about this photograph, texted to me from Alan Klotz in Garrett County. They are Evening Grosbeaks. I have not seen them in years, and Alan's photo takes me back to winters in a small Massachusetts town. These amazing birds, colorful as canaries, would show up in our backyard to feed on … Continue reading Winter canaries
Make nice with a dictator, scold our allies: Trump-Vance betrayal prompts a letter to Europe
In his first term as president, Trump went to France and passed on a visit to the U.S. military cemetery because of rain. A delegation lead by Chief of Staff John Kelly, the retired general, went instead. It was later reported that Trump rejected the idea of a cemetery visit because he didn't want to … Continue reading Make nice with a dictator, scold our allies: Trump-Vance betrayal prompts a letter to Europe
At the Walters in Baltimore: A break from vulgarities and lies for some beauty and truth
Children were making art in the bright and beautiful Sculpture Court of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore on Saturday morning. They sat at tables or kneeled on chairs to lean over tables to make greeting cards as their parents watched. Adults were also sketching or cutting and glue-sticking colorful construction paper, creating art. As … Continue reading At the Walters in Baltimore: A break from vulgarities and lies for some beauty and truth
Deaths of vultures from avian flu in rural Maryland
Kurt Kolaja, a friend who lives in Queen Anne's County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, shared photographs of some of the dozens of dead vultures he’s found on his property and his neighbor’s since December. The state confirmed the cause of death as avian flu. For the full story, click here.
A constituent appeals to Republicans: Do you really agree with everything Trump has done?
Arnold "Skip" Isaacs, veteran journalist formerly of The Baltimore Sun, watched the Trump-Musk sabotage of government unfold in Washington, then decided to write to Republicans to ask if they agreed with Trump's draconian executive orders and Musk's unprecedented access to government data. I post this here today because I admired Skip's approach -- indeed, his … Continue reading A constituent appeals to Republicans: Do you really agree with everything Trump has done?
Who’s the most dangerous man in Washington?
Update from The New York Times: Employees of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau were instructed to cease “all supervision and examination activity” and “all stakeholder engagement,” effectively stopping the agency’s operations, in an email from the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, on Saturday evening. Who's the most dangerous man in … Continue reading Who’s the most dangerous man in Washington?
Dan Rodricks 