Culture | The Ben Franklin Follies

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The Gravediggers

January 11, 2012

The Gravediggers is the second episode of The Avengers that aired in the U.S. Although it features a number of quirky characters, a typical plot, and a classic scene that plays off the “damsel in distress” silent film classics, it’s not one of my favorite episodes. Whenever I’m perusing titles and trying to decide what […]

The Town of No Return

January 4, 2012

The Town of No Return is the first episode of The Avengers to air in the U.S. The episode opens with a closeup shot of fisherman on a beach, fiddling with his basket and nets, then cuts to a long shot of a blob emerging from the sea. The camera pulls in closer and we […]

52 Weeks of The Avengers

January 4, 2012

I'm not sure what, specifically, about The Avengers captured my attention as a child, maybe it was the the accents or the wardrobes. Or maybe I subconsciously picked up on the intelligence and tongue-in-cheek humor.

A Piece of the Berlin Wall in Georgia

October 23, 2011

The Berlin Wall today is the symbol of the physical, cultural and social separation of the “East” and “West” during the Cold War era. From August 13, 1961 until 1989, the Berlin Wall was also the physical barricade between East and West Germany. This week’s Sunday Sign describes this small section of the Berlin Wall […]

Mae Frances Nelson & Daily Bread Barbecue

July 25, 2011

When I was a teen, my grandmother introduced me to Mae Frances Nelson, a beautiful person and wonderful cook. Mrs. Nelson is known all around the South for her homemade caramel cakes and other delicious Southern foods she serves at Daily Bread Barbecue in Russellville, Alabama.

Cheeky Maiden Soap Co: Naturally Handcrafted in Calera, Alabama

July 16, 2011

One Saturday morning in early June, I was wandering around Pepper Place Market. The scent of lavender, peppermint, rosemary and cedarwood wafting across the muggy air drew me to the Cheeky Maiden Soap Co. booth, where I found an array of handcrafted soaps and related bath and body care products.

How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes

July 16, 2011

I've been in the mood for fried green tomatoes all summer. Finally got around to making them last night for dinner. Here's my take on this southern classic. Serve them up as an appetizer or side dish. Or make them the centerpiece of your meal, like I did last night.

Archibald’s Bar-B-Que: The Best Barbecue Ever

July 15, 2011

I was lucky enough to attend college and law school in the County that’s home to the two greatest barbecue joints in the history of the world. Archibald’s, in Northport, has always been my favorite. Archibald’s is a tiny place. There’s a barbecue pit, a refrigerator, sink, a Formica-topped bar and five bar stools inside […]

Good for Christian Lopez

July 11, 2011

Christian Lopez snagged the ball when Derek Jeter hit his 3,000th home run at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Instead of doing the Wall Street thing and auctioning off the ball to the highest bidder, Lopez returned the ball to Jeter. Way to go, Mr. Lopez. Mr. Lopez apparently has a six-figure student loan obligation. I […]

Food Culture: Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs & Gus Koutroulakis

July 9, 2011

I rarely eat hot dogs and I never visited Pet’s Famous Hot Dogs in downtown Birmingham. But the story of Gus Koutroulakis and the life he devoted to serving up some of the most popular hot dogs in the country is legendary. And touching. I admire anyone who cares enough about their work to do […]