That’s my best friend ... That’s my dog ... He gon always hold me down ... That's my dog. This Just In: Baltimore-based rapper DDm (Dapper Dan Midas) has recorded a new song (lyrics below) and video celebrating life with dogs. More specifically, "That's My Dog" is meant to highlight dog ownership among Black, indigenous and … Continue reading DDm raps: That’s my best friend. That’s my dog.
Christmas wishes: Sometimes they come true
Any reporter who’s filed what editors call a “positive story” knows the feeling — you leave the subjects of those stories behind, to live out their lives, and you hope things turn out OK. You move along quickly and your attention turns to the next story. As the years go by, maybe you wonder about the … Continue reading Christmas wishes: Sometimes they come true
Baccala, bacalhau, bacaloa — it’s all cod to me
There’s really no practical reason for baccala anymore. They have this thing called “refrigeration” now and you can freeze fish for months. The original concept — drying out flanks of Atlantic cod and salting them to preserve them — goes back centuries and remains a thing only because there’s a market for the resulting Old … Continue reading Baccala, bacalhau, bacaloa — it’s all cod to me
Recipe: Classic chicken cacciatore
A reader asked me for the recipe for Chicken Cacciatore that she had heard on Midday on WYPR when I was the show's host (2008-2016). I could not recall the recipe or who offered it. But, no surprise, Donna Crivello of Cosima (and formerly Donna's) had one, and, also no surprise, it comes from her … Continue reading Recipe: Classic chicken cacciatore
By law, how Baltimore can end the gun violence
I took this photo of the fence line where a Baltimore police officer’s car crashed early Thursday, on Pennington Avenue in Curtis Bay. The officer, Keona Holley, was shot in an apparent ambush. You can read about her at this link to The Baltimore Sun’s coverage. Here’s my Friday column on the shooting, my second … Continue reading By law, how Baltimore can end the gun violence
Yes, America has a gun problem. It has a violence problem to go with it.
I no longer assume the following: That the vast majorty of Americans (meaning, 75% to 80% of us) understand the fundamentals of democracy and the Constitution, that the vast majority of Americans can clearly discern fact from fiction, that the vast majority of Americans understand that peace is better than violence. That last one — … Continue reading Yes, America has a gun problem. It has a violence problem to go with it.
Last words on justice and parole for lifers
I have written on the topic of parole for lifers a lot, but I think I've reached the end of my efforts on this issue. I'm not giving up. I just think my job's done here. The Maryland General Assembly has finally taken an action that will remove politics from the parole system, and that's … Continue reading Last words on justice and parole for lifers
Never fry bacon while naked and other kitchen lessons
My column in today’s Baltimore Sun is all about cooking — some lessons I’ve picked up from cooking every day and from watching some good chefs, professional and at-home, do their thing over stoves and countertops. It’s a data dump of 32 pointers and suggestions, offered for readers as the holiday cooking season gets underway. … Continue reading Never fry bacon while naked and other kitchen lessons
Essay and photos: Sunset and candles at Antietam
Sharpsburg, Md -- On Saturday, one thousand volunteers placed 23,000 candles on the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland. It was the annual illumination of grounds where nearly that number of Americans were killed, wounded or reported missing in the violent struggle to end slavery and preserve the union. The battle of Antietam took place on Sept. … Continue reading Essay and photos: Sunset and candles at Antietam
Model city: Baltimore in HO scale at the B&O Museum
As mentioned in my weekend column in The Baltimore Sun: The newest addition to the B&O Railroad Museum is a large model train layout of Baltimore landmarks — Oriole Park (on the day of a Baltimore-Seattle playoff game in 1997), the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, the World Trade Center, the Lord Baltimore Hotel, the Hippodrome … Continue reading Model city: Baltimore in HO scale at the B&O Museum
Dan Rodricks 