Essays
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Page 36
Pope Francis's visit to Philadelphia
I fled the pope and I liked it
When the great Papal Visit of 2015 drew perhaps a tenth of the crowds predicted and local businesses became victims of the hype, now we must decide whose fault it all is.
Essays
5 minute read
The many kinds of success of Venus and Serena Williams
Raising champions
That Serena and Venus are excellent, well-adjusted, and curious about things outside their area of expertise is phenomenal. That they are best friends on top of that is even more amazing; the investment Oracene Price and Richard Williams made in their children has paid many important dividends.
Essays
5 minute read
'The Princess Bride': An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes
Sometimes “as you wish” isn’t
I planned to ask Cary Elwes a question at his recent appearance at the Keswick, but the moment the house lights went up and I readied myself to get in line, my brain emptied out. Being in the same room as an artist you’ve loved so much, for so long, can be overwhelming.
Essays
5 minute read
Musicians vs. writers
You thought writers were obsessed with their craft? They’ve got nothing on professional musicians.
Essays
5 minute read
Philadelphia Dîner en Blanc 2015
Dinin’ in the rain and lovin’ it
What makes Dîner en Blanc so enticing? Is it the exclusivity? Or the inclusiveness? There’s something about being part of a global phenomenon that I just can’t resist. Even if it did rain on my parade this year.
Essays
4 minute read
My 'Dr. Who' T-shirt is bigger on the inside
You can’t possibly come to work at a major law firm in a Doctor Who T-shirt. But in a public library? No problem.
Essays
4 minute read
The continuing joys of Yiddish
Here's looking at you, Yiddish
I love the sound of Yiddish, the memories it evokes, and the people who created it.
Essays
2 minute read
Rachel Dolezal and Caitlyn Jenner
Odd fruit
I look forward to a time when we bust the categories — male, female, black, white, gay, straight — wide open to make room for the complicated, contradictory, nuanced experiences that live inside and between those boxes.
Essays
5 minute read
Abusing library books
Do I need a Hazmat suit to read library books?
Did courtesy go out of style and no one told me? I don’t expect everyone to treat books as holy, but taking a little care would be nice.
Essays
2 minute read
Let them eat toast
The food fad with a difference
Toast has become a thing: a trend, a fad, the plat du jour. Restaurants are popping up with toast menus that include delectable substances Mom would never have dreamed of slapping on the Wonder Bread.
Essays
4 minute read