April 1, 2008
Nina’s Heavenly Delights
As cuisine-centered cinema goes, this motion picture dish is delish. It has the familial affection and conflict of Eat Drink Man Woman; the sensuality of Like Water for Chocolate; the quirky characters of Tampopo; and the high-stakes cooking competition-cum-drama of Iron Chef. But what this cinematic samosa also brings to the table are three distinctive ingredients. One, the film is set in the Indian community of Glasgow, Scotland (South Asians with Scottish accents can be hilarious — at least for the first 20 minutes — to American eyes and ears). Two, there are touching moments when Nina’s recently deceased father, who appears from time to time, unseen to all but the film audience, looks upon his daughter with pride and acceptance. And, moreover, three, the forbidden lesbian love Nina feels for her friend and kitchen accomplice, Lisa. • 2006. Co-written and directed by Pratibha Parmar. • From Genius Products, Inc. (www.geniusproducts.com). — Review: Eric A.T. Dieckman
April 1, 2008
When openly gay Gene Robinson was elected Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003, the Nigerian archbishop, Peter J. Akinola, called the event “Satanic.” However, after reading the latest issue of Atlantic Magazine, it appears that Akinola is the one whose behavior is modeled on the devil.
April 1, 2008
The long lines at Democratic precinct conventions provoked tempers and frustration for some, and confusion for most. But for old hands like me who have worked in and through the Texas precinct convention process for decades, it was an uplifting and gratifying night. Oh, I was frustrated too, and I complained about the lack of adequate accommodations for the numbers of both voters and caucusers. But if you turned off the audio and looked at the sea of smiling faces, how could anyone be less than elated at democracy in action?
April 1, 2008
We’re in the paper, baby.
Our local daily’s “For the Record” page—right in there with Deaths, Blood Bank Donors Needed, and Dissolutions of Marriage—now features a new listing: Declarations of Domestic Partnership. Yes, indeedy. The self-same newspaper that refused to print marriage announcements during the brief era in 2004 of issuing licenses to same-sex couples (and to this day has yet to print birth announcements of babies born to same-sex parents) is now providing us space in the public record and advancing our foray into legitimacy. We’re here. We’re queer. Read all about it.
April 1, 2008
It was a Monday morning like most others. Rainy, kind of steamy. I was plowing through my de rigueur 200+ daily pieces of spam, separating the wheat from the chafe.
April 1, 2008
Prior to Texas’ March 4 Democratic presidential primary, Houston Area Stonewall Democrats announced the GLBT political group’s endorsement of Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary.
April 1, 2008
Great article on Bill T. Jones [“Just Our Bill,” March]! As a choreographer, dancer, teacher, and advocate in the Houston dance community, I see, read about, and participate in a lot of dance. It’s refreshing to read such intimate background material not only on the company, but also on the work we are about to see. I am sure it will heighten my experience at the show. I’m linking this article to my newsletter that reaches over 500 Houston dance community members.
April 1, 2008
When Kindred Spirits, a bar “for women and their friends,” first opened in 1980, it became a haven not only for drinking and dancing, but also for community fundraisers, political organizing, and even blood drives. The popular spot closed in 1990, but not before the “kindred spirit” — the desire to “give back to the community,” as founder Marion Coleman explains it — had instilled itself in its many patrons.
April 1, 2008
Siete Quesos (Spinach and Crab Dip)
Recipe from El Tiempo Cantina
Siete Quesos3 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
3 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 oz. Parmesan cheese
3 oz. blue cheese
3 oz. chile con queso (melted Velveeta)
5 oz. fresh spinach
5 oz. jumbo lump crab meat
4 tbsp finely diced jalapenos
4 tbsp finely diced onion
6 tbsp chopped tomatoes
1 clove fresh minced garlic
4 oz. bread crumbs
April 1, 2008
Ah, when spring is in the air, there’s nothing better than a chilled glass of vino. We asked Brad Odom, co-owner of Salud! Winery, what he likes for warmer weather. His choice, Salud!’s new whites: Salud! Woodbridge Reserve Chardonnay, with just a hint of oak blended with citrus; Salud! Harris Ranch Semillon with pear and grass notes; and Salud! Harris Ranch Pinot Grigio.
