Appreciating all that makes America special

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Goodfellas

Posted by on Mar 30, 2015 in Featured, Film | Comments Off on Goodfellas

Why, you might ask, has it taken me so long to include this obviously well-made movie among the list of Great American Films? Because...

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Robert Downey, Jr.

Posted by on Mar 18, 2015 in Actor, Featured | Comments Off on Robert Downey, Jr.

There are some actors who never seem to give a bad performance. Robert Duvall, for example. Morgan Freeman. And I put Robert Downey, Jr. in...

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Guys and Dolls

Posted by on Feb 24, 2015 in Featured, Theater | Comments Off on Guys and Dolls

First of all, it has some of the best names in the history of American musical theater, including Sky Masterson, Nathan Detroit, and the...

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Hanauma Beach, Hawaii

Posted by on Feb 16, 2015 in Featured, Travel | Comments Off on Hanauma Beach, Hawaii

Snorkeling. They come for the snorkeling. One look at the pictures on this page give an indication of how accessible the waters are even...

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Dr. Beach

Posted by on Dec 1, 2014 in Featured, People | Comments Off on Dr. Beach

I don’t know how Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, determines his list of 10 best beaches in America each year. Oh, I see the...

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Blake Shelton

Posted by on Nov 11, 2014 in Featured, Singer | 1 comment

It took The Voice to bring Blake Shelton to the top of the entertainment industry. Which is strange, because few performers have dominated...

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Billy Crystal

Posted by on Oct 13, 2014 in Actor, Featured | 1 comment

It was the Bible, not Reader’s Digest, that first told us that laughter is the best medicine. With that being understood, perhaps we...

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Bobby Flay

Posted by on Oct 7, 2014 in Featured, People | Comments Off on Bobby Flay

It’s not true that Bobby Flay invented the Food Network. It just seems that way. Few American chefs – maybe none – have...

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Popular Mechanics

Posted by on Sep 4, 2014 in Americana, Featured | 1 comment

Since its founding, Popular Mechanics has been the ultimate men’s magazine. No pin-ups, no racy humor, and (almost) no women allowed....

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“Friends in Low Places”

Posted by on Aug 18, 2014 in Featured, Songs | 1 comment

A critic once said that “Friends in Low Places” is a depressing song that makes you feel better. Garth Brooks played it for all...

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