On Sunday night, S. and I were at the Rock Hall for the 3rd Annual Chef Jam. This raises money for the Ohio City Farm, which picked up a check for $5K, and education programs for the Rock Hall.

This year featured a higher ticket price, more music, less people and less vendors. But still rates fairly high on the fun list, as this year, even some of the vendors got into the act and started dressing the part. Prosperity had the Ramones, I think Melt had Kiss and there were some Beatles as well, dishing out some Yellow Submarine sammies.

The music started earlier with the band from Crop. As usual, they played "Whipping Post". The Naked Cowboy strolled around, publicizing Naked Cowboy Oysters, by mainly posing for pictures. There was of very good cover band, Abbey Rodeo, before the headliners appeared. That was the English Beat (actually only Dave Wakeling with other unknowns), who actually treated this as an appearance, and played more than an abbreviated set including some General Public stuff.

English Beat Setlist:

"Save It For Later"
"Tears Of A Clown"
"I Confess"
"Tenderness"
"I'll Take You There"
"Ranking Full Stop"
"Mirror In The Bathroom"

Sampling of Restaurants/Plates:

B Spot: Beef Sliders

Deagan's: Mushroom Stuffed Quail

Melange: Pork Belly and BBQ Beans

Melt: Fried Twinkie

Moxie: Whiskey River Gelato

Prosperity Social Club: Sloppy Joes and Mac N Cheese

Sweet Moses: Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Bourbon Caramel Sauce w/Chocolate Candy

Sushi Rock: Spicy Salmon and Spicy Tuna

Meal of Links

Last night, I went to the Cinemark and saw the latest Woody Allen flick, "Midnight In Paris". I must say, moving his productions to the other side of the pond have revived the guy. This was sort of a "Back To The Future" for the adult set.

This time, Owen Wilson plays the Woodman Voice as a successful Hollywood writer with a deep love for '20s Paris. He is taking a shot at writing a novel and about to marry Rachel McAdams. I normally like McAdams, but she seemed off here. Michael Sheen eats some scenery as a friend, maybe former lover, of McAdams. He's an art professor, lecturing at the Sorbonne, so he knows everything about art and wind and just about everything else. Type of guy who corrects tour guides, Described perfectly as "pedantic" by Carla Bruni. Yes, stunt casting has Bruni in not just one, but two scenes.

Anyhow, as the clock strikes Midnight, McAdams and Sheen and his wife go elsewhere, Wilson is transported back in time on a nightly basis. Where he meets artists like Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, Cole Porter, Kathy Bates as Gertrude Stein, Picasso, Bunuel, Adrien Brody as Salvador Dali ("Dah-LEE"), those types. Accepted almost immediately and never questioned about his clothing, even at the most formal gatherings. Of course, he is smitten with Marion Cotillard during these throwbacks.

The story is a nice take on nostalgia. If you immerse yourself completely, it appears that Allen has decided it stifles you creatively. Because everyone has their own idea of what the greatest time was. For example, when you think Wilson and Cotillard are a match, she opts for the Belle Epoque period of Paris.

Definitely a love letter to Paris, especially the shots in the rain. Certainly worth the 90 minutes when it comes to cable. And, you have to admit it, Allen still has some interesting stories to tell. Hopefully.

Worst addictions, by decade. And how they were treated.

Best game show hosts of the '80s. Good to see Ken Ober on there.

A look at "The Wall". Yes, it still fascinates.

Hugh Hefner's fiancee decided not to marry him. She realized she was about to marry a fossil. So, Dr. Phil's son shows up. For her, not Hef.

In case you did not know, the CIA has drones over Yemen. Shouldn't there have been a vote on that or something?

After last night's Republican debate. Could this be their future?

Exercise Yard

Big Game 7 for the Bruins tomorrow. Newest hero: Brad Marchand, the Erich Barnes of the NHL.

Quote of the year:

Why did Marchand keep punching him then?

"Because I felt like it," Marchand said.

"Golf Boys" Video/Crane, Fowler, Mahan, Watson



Visitor

29 Across: 1983 Woody Allen title role (5 letters) Answer: Zelig