FANEX Returns at Baltimore's Senator Theater

As some of you may know, Baltimore's single-screen movie house The Senator has fallen on hard times and "the end" was supposedly at hand. I'm not sure what's happening at this point... there had been talk of the city taking over the historic theater to avoid the auction block but I'm not sure what the latest is.

The good part about the current problems has been that it has forced the powers that be to re-examine just what the hell they've been doing and for the first time in the eight years I've been here somebody finally got the idea that maybe plunking first-run features in there wasn't the best use of the building.

Anyway, recent weeks have seen a wide range of flicks hit the screen at The Senator and I just found out that our old friends Gary & Sue Svehla of Midnight Marquee and FANEX fame are going to program the schedule the weekend of May 1. Here are some of the highlights...

Friday, 5/1
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ALIEN FACTOR @ 7 PM
SUSPIRIA @ 10:30 PM

Saturday, 5/2
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THE INVISIBLE GHOST @ 10:30 AM
BASKET CASE @ 1 PM
FANEX FILES: HAMMER FILMS @ 3 PM
HORROR OF DRACULA @ 5 PM
SUSPIRIA @ 10:30 PM

There are some additional, locally made, low-budget flicks playing as well. For more check out the Midnight Marquee website.

Pop the Cork on the Science Behind Wine

Despite an abundance of first-hand experience my wine knowledge can be summed up like so:

• I have to spend at least $7 on a bottle of white wine or I get a tremendous headache
• My tolerance for red wine seems to have no price limit and I currently prefer pinot noir
• I once drank a bottle of "organic" wine and was rewarded with one of my Top 10 Illnesses
  
• Low-end fortified wines such as Thunderbird, Night Train, MD 20/20 and Cisco cause eyebrow singe, temporary paralysis, sudden narcolepsy and elbow stink
  

In other words, I could probably benefit from attending Science Uncorked: Wineology 101 hosted by the Maryland Science Center on Thursday, April 30 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

Experts from The Wine Market will lead an informal discussion on the science of wine and the roles color, scent and taste play in selecting our fermented favorites. Guests will learn about taste zones, clarity and bouquet while sampling a variety of wine and food pairings.

Tickets to Science Uncorked are $35 for Maryland Science Center members and $40 for non-members. Attendees must be 21 or older. RSVP by calling 410.545.5960.

Happy Birthday Wawa!

It was 45 years ago today that Wawa opened its first store in the Folsom section of Ridley Township, PA. From those humble beginnings the convenience store chain has grown into one of the nation's Top 10 coffee sellers and the third-largest food merchant in the region, behind only supermarket giants Acme and Shoprite.

These days I live about 20-30 minutes (depending upon traffic) from the closest Wawa, unlike my days spent in South Jersey and Bucks County, PA when any trip I made from my home took me past three or more of the establishments in the first five minutes.

But even a 45-minute roundtrip is preferable to my dark days spent in Pittsburgh's Wawa-less no man's land where questions like "Where's the nearest Wawa?" were met with an open-mouth and vacant stare (the results of too much Sheetz or 7-11 coffee I assume).

Though my favorite items can change as quickly as the weather here in Wawa's Northeast/Mid-Atlantic stronghold, here are my current faves:

• Wawa Coffee. It goes without saying that I get a cup of Wawa coffee eight out of ten trips to the convenience giant. It's why I started going there in the first place – that and to pick up a Philly Inquirer. My standard blend used to be half-regular/half-hazelnut but these days I'm all about the Kona. And for my money, nothing beats a cup of Wawa coffee and a cream donut from Crust & Crumb located in Bay Village on LBI. (If you haven't seen it yet check out video from my Christmas day visit to Wawa.)
  
• Italian Hoagie with provolone, a little mayo, grated parmesan. While the rolls used at nearby MD locations don't match the Amoroso's rolls used in the Delaware Valley, a Wawa hoagie is still hard to beat as the perfect lunch or dinner when you're on the road or on the way to the drive-in.
• Diet Lemonade Ice Tea. Commonly referred to as an "Arnold Palmer" this is a slightly sweet, refreshing drink that packs a nice caffeine punch. Perfect for lunch on summer days spent on the beach at LBI where the closest Wawa is just two short blocks away.

What's your favorite Wawa item?

Phillies Broadcaster Harry Kalas Dies

Harry Kalas, the legendary voice of the Philadelphia Phillies and a sports broadcasting icon, died today at the age of 73. Kalas apparently collapsed in the broadcast booth before the Phillies game against the Nationals and was rushed to the hospital. The team will play their game today as planned but have canceled their visit to the White House scheduled for tomorrow.

For anybody who grew up in Philly listening to Kalas this marks the sad end of an era. I can still remember going to bed on summer nights in the 70s and early 80s, listening to Kalas and his partner Richie Asburn call games.

Dyeing Easter Eggs

Dyeing Easter eggs with Ryan – and Curious George – yesterday.