By Bonnie Fishman / San Francisco Bay Area Our band of hardy travelers– my sister Marcia and two suburban Detroit friends, Becky and Shelly– started on the road on June 19. Our goal was to experience the summer solstice as far north as possible. After spending a couple of days in Kiruna, Sweden, 100 miles inside the Arctic Circle, it was quite a contrast to journey on to bustling Stockholm on June 23, the day the Swedes celebrate Midsommar. What a gorgeous city! Stockholm, which is comprised of 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, has a natural beauty from all of the water. In the heart of the city, the Royal Palace, and the government buildings, opera house, theaters, and other stately structures, add to that beauty. Sweden is so civilized! Stockholm is clean and orderly. The people are polite and helpful. There is good public transportation and generally the service is top-notch. From my observation, there seem to be few “riffraff” hanging around. The Swedes also take their bike riding and hiking seriously, as do the other Scandinavian citizens. Let me say this: the women whom I traveled with know how to move. I barely had time to do Wordle each day! My normal life is way slower-paced than this trip. Hence, after walking about five miles on cobblestone, I strained my leg, but continued to hobble five miles a day using a cane. I didn’t want to miss a thing. The food was surprisingly delicious. I don’t know why I expected otherwise. We did not dine in particularly high-brow restaurants. I’m a peasant at heart and any food that is tortured or comes close to tweezers (when chefs use them for garnish placement), is not my style. That said, the meals were beautifully presented with natural ingredients. (I had a premonition I was headed in the right direction when I was served a lobster fennel radish salad on the KLM plane!) Our first lunch was across the street from our lovely hotel in central Stockholm. It was one of those “order at the counter and they bring it to you” places. I wasn’t holding my breath for brilliance. A lovely salad of mixed greens with piles of cold smoked salmon, pickled fennel and potatoes, and radish garnish was placed in front of me. Delicious! On one of our other dining ventures, we just had to have traditional Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes. They were truly outstanding. Light, not densely packed, served on a silky, creamy sauce– the real deal. All of the food I ate was well seasoned in the salt and pepper arena. It really brought out the flavors of the ingredients. Fika is an age-old Swedish tradition. It means. loosely, “taking a break for coffee, cake and conversation.” Any time of the day is appropriate. This is my kind of country! Sitting with coffee and dessert is acceptable behavior? Sweden, where have you been my whole life? One can fika any time of day. I may have to move to Stockholm! There is no shortage of places to pop in and enjoy cake and coffee in Stockholm. What is remarkable is that most of the cafes have amazing pastries. The quality and variety are unequivocal. I believe that the Swedish desserts rival the French. Coming from someone who trained in classical French baking at the Cordon Bleu, I can attest to this. I was so into fika that one afternoon in Stockholm’s Old City, I had dessert for my lunch - two of them! Besides eating (is there anything else??), we did a city tour on a bus to get the lay of the land. We traipsed through the Old City, where Stockholm originated and visited the Royal Palace. We toured the Vasa Museum, which houses Sweden’s version of the Titanic–except this seven-story masted ship was built in the 17th century and never made it out of the harbor. It sank on its maiden voyage in 1628, about 1,000 meters after it set sail. A major design flaw, I think! One day we took a 30-minute boat ride to the Archipelago Islands. We walked around the island of Fjäderholmarna, where we visited artists’ studios and dined on beautiful salads in the harbor. This island actually reminded me of the Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan. Birch trees and pines abound, just like in the northern part of my home state. Well, readers, I’ve been holding out on you. The food highlight of each day was the spectacular breakfast buffet provided by our hotel. When I first saw it, I palpitated with excitement. The food was A-mazing. As with many of these Scandinavian breakfast spreads (which I enjoyed in Norway and Iceland), each buffet table is a different “food group.” The hot food included sausages, porridge, hard and soft-boiled eggs, quiche without crust, charred cabbage with other veggies, and the best bacon I’ve ever had. On the pastry table, various croissant and other puff pastry sweets were hot out of the oven, along with cardamom sweet bread. There were fresh fruits, cheeses, charcuterie, a table of crusty breads with your choice of butter, margarine or a vegan option, plus a large jam selection. The yogurt station, don’t ask. Four kinds of real yogurt, with fresh lingonberry compote, mangos, mixed fruits, and honey. The vegetable table had something on it that I’d never seen before. It was a tray of different living sprouts in their soil, with scissors next to it to snip what you wanted. Come on, really? The highlight of the breakfast for me was the waffle and pancake station. My friend and neighbor Marie, who is of Swedish descent and spent time living in Sweden, had told me, “Don’t miss the pancakes.” Sage advice. The pancakes are not as fluffy as American ones and not as thin and crispy as French crêpes. They are eggier with a texture similar to Ethiopian injera bread. Next to the pancakes were sautéed apples, lingonberry compote, jams, and of course, fresh whipped cream. Confession: I had these each day. People also eat these pancakes for fika. Now that I’m back in California, I have time to experiment with making these Swedish pancakes, that are served with breakfast or coffee and conversation. I’m pairing them with fresh plum compote. Plums are in season here in California. You could use apples, pears, peaches, or cherries. You can make the pancakes ahead, fold them in quarters, and warm them in a low oven. Tell us here at The Insider if you’re interested in including the great Swedish tradition of fika in your life and what you might enjoy at your own coffee and conversation table. Remember, we only go around once, so make it count! Swedish Pancakes with Fresh Plum Compote SEE BOTTOM NOTES BEFORE MAKING PANCAKES Yield: @ 24 pancakes Swedish Pancakes 4 lg. eggs 3 Tbsp. sugar 1 oz. melted butter 1/4 tsp. salt 1 1/2 c. flour 2 c. milk oil for pan Put the eggs, sugar, melted butter and salt in a blender or food processor. Whip until well blended.  Mix in the flour. Scrape down sides as needed. Add the milk and blend on high speed until smooth.  Allow batter to rest for at least 30 minutes. Put an 8” nonstick skillet on moderate heat. Add a little oil. When pan is hot, add 3-4 Tbsp. batter. Using the pan handle, tip and roll the batter around the hot pan. Pour off excess into the batter. Cook for 2 minutes. Loosen the edges of the pancake with a heat-resistant spatula. Invert the pan onto a flat plate and tap on the counter to cause the pancake to come out.  Pick up the pancake and return it to the pan, top-side down for 1 minute. Remove it and fold into quarters, top-side in. Continue with all of the batter. When the batter begins to stick, add oil and roll it around; discard.  This whole process will take time and patience. Reheat pancakes, covered, in a 200° oven for 15-20 minutes.  Serve warm with Fresh Plum Compote and Chantilly Cream. Fresh Plum Compote 2 lb. ripe plums, pitted 1 oz. butter 5-6 Tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. cardamom 1/2 tsp. cinnamon Cut each plum in half from top to bottom. Cut each half into 4. Melt the butter in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the plums, sugar, and spices. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit has softened and a syrup has formed, about 5 minutes. Store in the fridge. Serve at room temperature or reheated slightly in a microwave oven. Chantilly Cream (Sweetened whipped cream) 1c. heavy cream (not ultra-pasteurized) 2 Tbsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla Place bowl and beater in the freezer before whipping the cream. When very cold, whip the cream on high speed until soft peaks. Add the sugar and vanilla and continue whipping until stiff. NOTE: It is essential to have proper equipment. An 8” non-stick skillet is a must. Also, have a heat-resistant spatula and a completely flat pan. (I use the bottom of a springform). Making these pancakes is “touchy” business! It will take a few tries to get it right. You need to balance the heat, how much batter, and pancake removal. Fortunately, there’s a lot of batter so you can practice! Bonnie Fishman attended the Cordon Bleu Cookery School in London. Later, she owned and operated Bonnie’s Patisserie in Southfield, Mich. and Bonnie’s Kitchen and Catering in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. She has taught cooking for over 35 years and created hundreds of recipes. She is now living in Northern California.

By Judi Markowitz / Detroit Orange barrels, roadblocks, and detour signs have become the norm on Michigan roads. Our streets have been crumbling for years. Potholes need to be avoided in order to dodge a blown tire or worse, and roads with asphalt surfaces are cracking and showing their age. It’s a veritable nightmare that has been unfolding for decades. Even Waze, a popular navigation app, doesn’t know how to properly direct drivers anymore, because of the constant road closures and repairs. The bane of my existence and that of my fellow Michiganders, has been dealing with the absurdity of this situation–and most don’t approach the road debacle with any sort of grace either. When encountering a new detour or road closure, swearing has become my favorite way to vent while driving in this insanity In May, Jonathon Oosting wrote in Bridge Michigan, “Only 25 percent of state road and highway miles were rated in ‘good’ condition, along with 42 percent rated ‘fair’ and 33 percent ‘poor.’ Roads received a D and the overall infrastructure a C-. And the situation keeps getting worse. No wonder Michigan drivers are screaming at the top of their lungs. Last week I was driving to a car dealership in Farmington Hills, Mich. The expressway near my house provides a direct route and I have driven it hundreds of times. However, due to all the construction, detours, and delayed traffic, my navigation system sent me on a whirlwind tour of back roads filled with bumpy terrain. And to top off this joy ride, I discovered that I was headed in the opposite direction of the dealership — I was actually on my way home! To say the least, I was aggravated but undeterred. I arrived an hour late for my appointment. It has become clear that funds were wasted on road repairs in the past. My husband Jeffrey, who spent 30 years as a building superintendent, is of the opinion that the road commission chose to repair the existing repairs. In other words, they kept putting band-aids on what needed to be replaced. This continual cycle of repairs has ultimately cost more in the long run. And now citizens are paying the price — with road closures, detours, traffic delays and noise pollution. It’s a debacle that could have been averted. Each morning I wake to a cacophony of sounds from the equipment being used to repair the roads. The beeping of trucks backing up to get into position, and the grinding, sawing, and digging all contribute to the unpleasant notes of noise. It’s the beginning of summer and instead of enjoying the birds humming we must endure the constant barrage of thuds and crashes emitted from these construction sites. A few days ago, I was in my kitchen and suddenly I heard clanking sounds from the chandelier in the dining room — the hanging crystals were actually swaying back and forth. I couldn’t comprehend why this was happening until I realized that it was the road construction near my house. The reverberations from the heavy excavating equipment could be felt on my street and who knows where else. When my grandchildren came for a visit, I suggested that we go to the park around the block. Much to my dismay the streets on both sides of the park were torn up. However, the city did a nice job of placing the rolled-up tubing in what seemed like extra, extra-large garbage bags, away from the playground and curious kids. There were also cement drainpipes sitting at attention ready to be placed underground when the time was right. Luckily, the scenery didn’t deter the kids and they enjoyed themselves. When we arrived home, the city had just poured a new cement square on the sidewalk in front of my house. A few days prior they removed the old one since it was deemed problematic, and we anticipated this work. It’s a public sidewalk and the city charges $315 for a replacement. Blockades are generally placed at the sides of all cement work — but these were two squares away. I didn’t think much about it since blockades are a warning signal. But much to my surprise, before the cement had properly set up, a dog and its owner had walked through it. Their imprints were clearly visible. I complained to the engineering department, and it will be replaced — more upheaval in the works. I know I’m kvetching, and that this situation will improve. But in the interim, the construction and traffic delays are almost unbearable. We’re not the only ones, either. For years, I have heard from friends and relatives who live in California concerning their ever-mounting traffic situation — and the complaints weren’t just about road repairs. Stories abound with tales of relatives not visiting each other due to the traffic debacle. Apparently a 45-minute destination can turn into a dismal two-hour ride. After fighting the elements on the road ,people give up and give in — it’s a sad commentary. When Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took office in 2019, she was determined to make good on her campaign promise—"Let’s fix the damn roads.” Her five-year Rebuilding Michigan Plan can be seen all over the state. There has been a $3.5 billion investment in highways and bridges. Michigan residents are grateful this is being completed without an increase in taxes at the pump — gas prices are high enough. Gov. Whitmer is committed to this project and has stated forcefully,” We will keep moving dirt and getting things done to save drivers time and money.” In time, Michigan roads will improve and endless traffic jams will hopefully cease as well. It will be a welcome sight to not have bright flashing arrows re-directing and diverting traffic due to construction. I know that we are only a year into this massive overhaul of our infrastructure, but I’m looking forward to the time when I can savor the uninterrupted, sweet sounds of summer and for my GPS to start recognizing the best and quickest routes once again. Judi Markowitz is a retired high school English teacher of 34 years. She primarily taught 12th grade and had the pleasure of her three sons gracing her classes. In addition, she taught debate, forensics, and Detroit film. Judi has four adult children and seven wonderful grandchildren. She is married to Jeffrey Markowitz, whom she met in high school. Judi grew up in Oak Park, Mich. which had a stellar school district, with excellent teachers. The city provided activities for all–and there were even sidewalks. Judi moved to Huntington Woods as an adult, which is a half mile from her childhood home. She wanted the same experience for her children as she had growing up, and Huntington Woods provided that. The View from Four Foot Two is Judi’s first book.

Fred Plotkin, a pleasure activist and passionate Italy and culinary expert, speaks each Friday with leading people in the arts FRED PLOTKIN is one of America’s foremost experts on opera and has distinguished himself in many fields as a writer, speaker, consultant and as a compelling teacher. He is an expert on everything Italian, the person other so-called Italy experts turn to for definitive information.  Fred discovered the concept of "The Renaissance Man" as a small child and has devoted himself to pursuing that ideal as the central role of his life. In a “Public Lives” profile in The New York Times on August 30, 2002, Plotkin was described as "one of those New York word-of-mouth legends, known by the cognoscenti for his renaissance mastery of two seemingly separate disciplines: music and the food of Italy." In the same publication, on May 11, 2006, it was written that "Fred is a New Yorker, but has the soul of an Italian."

By Steve Cash / Detroit I love writing for The Insider. It’s a great outlet for my humor and thoughts. The editor has been wonderful to me in allowing me to contribute. It is obvious to me, however, that most of the writers and readers of The Insider have a different mindset than I do. At the risk of entering the lion's den or the belly of the beast, I must admit that I am a conservative. I have certain political and social ideas and values that I suspect would not sit well with many Insider followers. I mention this just as an introduction to my story. I have no intention of having a political argument or discussion with anybody. I'm too old and tired for that. I only allude to my political preference to give you a little background. Last week, I drove by a restaurant in West Bloomfield, Mich, a few miles from my home. It brought back some unusual memories. About three years ago, I walked into that restaurant with one of my high school chums. I went there for the lamb chops. I love lamb chops and was told they were the best. I entered a packed house. The place was full and loud. As I walked towards the hostess, I noticed a fella I had gone to school with approaching me. I assumed he was going to say hello. He stopped about 10 feet in front of me and screamed, “There he is– he's a Trumper!" I stopped in my tracks. I've been addressed as many things in my life– putz, schmuck, jerk–but never as “a Trumper” and never as loud and never in such an accusatory tone. The restaurant became silent for a moment as the diners looked around to see who was the object of this tirade. As they all stared at me for a minute, I felt like Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, who was forced to wear a badge of dishonor so everyone would know how evil she was. At a loss for words, I played this attack off as if he were joking and asked the hostess for a table. I sat down at my table still a little bit stunned. I got my bearings and looked over at the gentleman, who was clearly extremely annoyed with me. It was hard for me to understand his reaction. Even if he were passionate about his beliefs, why would he choose that forum in which to express them? Although he had embarrassed me, even if the other diners agreed with his point of view, they must know that his attack was inappropriate and ill-timed. Just when I was feeling more secure and comfortable, a recognizable face waved me over from an adjacent table. It was my old real-estate associate Sherry. She was sitting with three friends. I strolled over to her table. She said that she had heard the man who screamed at me. I thought to myself, surely this wonderful friend was going to come to my defense. Instead, she doubled down. " I didn't know you supported him!" she said. What happened to you?" the other woman at the table immediately joined in. “You support that ass,” they shouted. Then, in unison, they all made the sign of the cross and pointed at me as if they were fending off Bella Lugosi in the 1931 version of Dracula. What the hell had I gotten myself into? I innocently came in for lamb chops and now felt like I was the object of social and political disdain. I thought about leaving and not subjecting myself to any more ridicule or mockery, but that great lamb chop review from my friend kept ringing in my ear. So, I ordered my food and for the time being things seem to calm down. I thought I was finally out of the woods. I was wrong. As I bit into my Caesar salad, an old client of mine approached my table. There was not even a pretense of a greeting as he started right in on his admonishment of me for my support of Donald Trump. Evidently, he had also seen the aforementioned commotion, and felt no hesitation in criticizing what he believed to be my distorted viewpoint. He said that he had fond memories of our business relationship (I sold his house), but he was surprised that he had not known that my judgment was so questionable. Now totally on the defensive, I tried to philosophically explain that I knew Trump was flawed like all humans, but I felt he had made some righteous decisions. My client was no fan of my philosophy, though, and he dismissed my words as gibberish. He said goodbye and I couldn't help feeling that I had lost an argument and a client. As the main course arrived, I bit into those great chops, but I was apprehensive about another possible attack. Luckily, I finished the meal with no further interruptions. I left the joint without looking up. I felt like Bill Buckner sneaking out of Shea after his momentous World Series error. I found my car and thought at least the worst was over. I finally got home and felt safe. I was with my loving family, who rightly or wrongly shared my views. But once again, my optimistic outlook was Premature. I turned on the computer and there it was-the email from hell. How ironic that I would receive it only an hour after my nightmarish restaurant episode. The email was from one of my dearest friends. He knew nothing about the restaurant situation but was up in arms concerning some of my recent Facebook posts. He said although we had been lifelong friends, he could no longer respect me. He documented how he had been brought up in a liberal, empathetic home and that my conservative values were the polar opposite of any redeeming precepts that he lived by. He said to remain friends with me would be hypocritical and in some ways a betrayal to the lessons and values he had taught his own grown children. In short, he tore me a new one and he didn't see any way of reconciling our massive differences. He was righteous and I was not. I was devastated. I'm no genius, but I'm no dummy either. I'm fairly well-read and my views have not been arrived at willy-nilly. To attack me because I think differently seemed unfair and arrogant. My friend sort of put himself in a holier-than-thou place, where his ideas were high-minded, and any opposing views were evil. This email made the lamb chop fiasco of several hours ago seem tame. I realize that we are living in a volatile and divisive time, but I never thought it would break up lifelong, loving friendships. After a night of attacks and heartbreak, I gathered myself together and responded to my friend the next day. I told him that I was very hurt by his comments. I told him I had a different take on certain issues and that there had been a time when different opinions were discussed in a respectful and civil manner. I objected to his self-righteous claim that his opinion was the “correct one" and that my opinion somehow indicated I had lost my moral compass. Unfortunately, it was no use. His convictions were so deep he could not turn back. He saw ending the friendship as a moral imperative. There was no turning back for him. Two years went by. I often thought of him with sadness. I loved him. Had known him since I was 15. Great times. Great laughs. Thought of calling him often but afraid of further hurtful rejection. Then fate intervened. A third party stepped in and arranged for my friend and me to have a conversation. The two of us scheduled a meal and met. Within five minutes, all was forgotten. The bond we had developed over 55 years (excuse the expression) "trumped" the foolish and insignificant political differences. In a moment our loving and wonderful friendship was restored. We laughed and we cried at that luncheon. We apologized and we were embarrassed at our stubbornness. He still has his views and I still have mine. We will never agree but it doesn't matter. We came away both believing political beliefs do not define the sum of a person. I feel blessed to have him in my life today. In conclusion, let me say that day was one of the most traumatic in my life. I felt unfairly attacked and demonized just because I have my own mindset. I want to alert Insider readers that I have my own opinions on abortion, gun control, and what should be taught in school. I wouldn't push my beliefs on others, but by the same token am not ashamed to state them openly. I only ask that if you are aware of my beliefs and see me in a restaurant, please let me finish my lemon lush before impugning my already suspect character. Steve Cash is originally from Oak Park, Mich. He is a longtime real estate agent who used to do stand-up comedy in L.A. His claim to fame was winning The Gong Show in 1977, and working at the Comedy Store with such greats as David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Michael Keaton. After watching those brilliant comics perform, Steve realized he’d better make a beeline back to Detroit and get back into real estate. Steve has had articles published in a number of publications and enjoys writing and trying to make people laugh.

By Andy Borowitz | The New Yorker June 27, 2023 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (The Borowitz Report)—Americans are expressing astonishment and disbelief after the release of an audiotape that seems to prove that Donald J. Trump is capable of reading. On the tape, in which Trump is showing associates a series of classified documents, the former President appears to demonstrate reading comprehension at a rudimentary level, decoding letters as they combine to form words and sentences. This implausible performance dumbfounded many Americans, like Carol Foyler, who resides in Akron, Ohio. “This defies everything I thought I knew about Donald Trump,” she said. “If he can read, what else is he capable of?” But Harland Dorrinson, who lives in Nashua, New Hampshire, had a more cautious reaction. “Let’s not rush to judgment,” he said. “Any tape of Trump being able to read could be a hoax.” Andy Borowitz is a Times best-selling author and a comedian who has written for The New Yorker since 1998. He writes The Borowitz Report, a satirical column on the news.

By Naomi Serviss / New York City A big splashy Broadway extravaganza, Kimberly Akimbo is not. It’s The Little Engine That Did, a quiet, seriously funny musical about a 15-year-old (soon to be 16) girl born with a fatal disease akin to progeria. It garnered five Tony Awards on June 11, including one for Best Musical. Still think it’s depressing? Scoff not. Trust me, it’s not a downer. It’s thrillingly upbeat at times, hilarious in unexpected ways and engaging always. Even when on the verge of tears, they will be happy tears. Bittersweet tears. Teenager Kimberly (inhabited fearlessly by Victoria Clark, 63) looks like a sixtysomething. Wrinkles, thinning hair and still able to get up from a bean bag chair (with a little help from her friends). She’s young in spirit, nibbling on her rainbow-colored candy charm necklace when nervous, dressed in embroidered jumpers and girly hair accessories. (Costumes by Sarah Laux.) Kimberly is determined to have it all before she ages over and out. Having it all means: a robot butler, road trips and puppy love. Maybe even a kiss. Stay tuned. Kimberly Akimbo, based on David Lindsay-Abaire’s moving play, first premiered at the Atlantic Theater Company in 2022,. With added music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Lindsay-Abaire, the play is a poignant nod to underlying themes of mortality, parenthood, morality and nerdiness. Kimberly’s geekiness is matched by classmate Seth Weetis (winningly portrayed by Justin Cooley), whose talents include creating complex anagrams and wordplay. It’s a funny musical about death! Like The Seventh Seal! The jokes will keep you laughing between shadows of sadness. Kimberly’s mom (Alli Mauzey) is a basket case hypochondriac who accumulates ailments as the plot unfolds. When mom ends up with both arms in casts, Kimberly becomes her mother’s keeper in a simple twist of fate. Her often-missing dad (Steven Boyer) is clueless on all the levels. He means well, but is too dense to follow through on promises unkept. He’s disappointed Kimberly all of her strange life. Then, in a surprise move, gives her something she’s been dreaming of: Passes to Great Adventure! Too bad they’ve expired. In the basement, grifter Aunt Debra (Bonnie Milligan) is master-planning a check forging scheme. The youth ensemble is a nifty batch of gifted high school classmates who are not only triple-threats (They sing! They dance! They act!) but ice skate to boot! Yes, there is ice skating -- a marvel to behold! Especially when Clark effortlessly whirls around the rink like a proper teen on the cusp of death. The scenic design is magical (David Zinn, lighting by Jeannette Oi-Suk Yew). Each character has a chance to shine in individual songs, which paint personality pictures that shine a light on these kids’ core. Remember that feeling of being the outsider in school? That creepy sense of being judged by the cooler kids? Wearing the wrong brooch and made fun of? Many end up in the school theater programs. As did I. Home was the glee club and performing arts clubs in school. Other outsiders were there, as well. Like seeks like, as Kimberly finds out. One of the myriad highlights of this charming musical is when Seth (the nerdy anagram kid) sings Good Kid, a self-descriptor of his good kindness. Always deemed the Boy Scout, bookworm and math nerd. He, like his fellow classmates (including Kimberly) are about to act against type and become foils for Aunt Debra in her dastardly check-forging scheme. What’s the temptation for a bunch of school-choir nerds to risk all for some Benjamins? Why, for fancy, flashy, sequined costumes, of course. Yes, there’s a payoff at the finale. Seth, Kimberly’s lab partner, thinks Kimberly should present a report on her aging disease. She’s not keen. Seth, a talented tuba player, works at the local ice rink.His anagram-love may be a key to the story’s multiple themes. Who’s the audience for this musical that’s assuredly not on your radar? EVERYONE! It’s YA-friendly with multi-generational-appeal! As my daughter Emily used to say about Jeffy’s, a favorite restaurant, “It’s got everything! Something for everybody!” This show is ultimately a feel-good, equanimous love letter to life and carpe diem. It’s about seeing things from a different perspective, walking a mile and all that jazz. Kimberly will nudge you to re-examine life’s priorities, given the limited time we have on Mother Earth. New York City visitors might not want to chance paying big bucks for an unknown show. There are plenty of other in-your-face musicals with gutsy dancing, barely-there costumes and jaw-dropping gymnastics, but they’re confections (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Poof. Gone in a flash. Kimberly Akimbo will haunt you after seeing it. I’m still thinking about that grabber of a finale. Don’t miss this show—you’ll thank me when it’s over. Naomi Serviss is a New York-based award-winning journalist whose work has been published in The New York Times, Newsday, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Highroads (AAA magazine), in-flight publications, spa and travel magazines and websites, including BroadwayWorld.com

By Jessie Seigel / Washington, D.C. Finally—a big mouth is taking on the country’s biggest big mouth! On June 26, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie entered the Republican presidential race and is taking no guff from Donald Trump. Christie won’t cringe, backtrack or try to hide in the woodwork like Trump’s other competitors do whenever Trump posts something nasty about them. According to Politico, “Some Republicans are openly rooting to have Christie on GOP debate stages later this year simply to bludgeon Trump—that is, do the dirty work that DeSantis, Pence, Haley and others haven’t so far been willing to do.” But according to Politico, Christie “is seen overwhelmingly negative by Republican voters at 15 percent positive to 42 percent negative.” So, it’s likely that those who want to see him attack Trump do not want or expect Christie to become the party’s presidential nominee. Christie, on the other hand, claims he’s in it to win it. He told Politico: “I’m not a paid assassin.” And he explained to Open Secrets: “Let me be very clear: I am going out there to take out Donald Trump, but here’s why — I want to win.” In addition, Christie told USA Today, "There is one lane to the Republican nomination and [Trump's] in front of it. If you want to win, you better go right through him." It's hard to predict whether Christie has any chance of succeeding, but in my view, his strategy is the only one that can work. And it is long past time that someone used it. Christie has correctly called out his competitors for failing to exploit Trump’s vulnerabilities instead of pretending to be more palatable versions of him. After all, why would Trump voters buy a copy when they can buy the original? While the other Republican “pretenders”—as Christie calls them—dilly-dally around trying to figure out how to handle Trump, Christie has wasted no time in taking his own advice. In the June 6 announcement of his primary run at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, Christie came out swinging, declaring that a “lonely, self-consumed, self-serving mirror hog is not a leader.” He added bluntly “Let me be clear, in case I have not been already—the person I am talking about who is obsessed with the mirror, who never admits a mistake, who never admits a fault and who always finds someone else and something else to blame for whatever goes wrong but finds every reason to take credit for anything that goes right is Donald Trump.” Christie also gave a sensible warning: “If your leaders are not willing to admit to you that they're fallible, that they make mistakes, that they hurt like you, that they bleed like you and that they suffer disappointments and letdowns, beware." We will have to see whether the proverbial “suckers born every minute” who blindly follow Trump will listen to those words and finally learn. Christie has also shown that he can take a punch and give back as good as he gets. On Fox News’ Media Buzz, two days before he announced his candidacy, Christie responded to cracks Trump had made about his weight: “Oh, like he’s some Adonis?” Pugnaciously, Christie added “Here’s my message for him. I don’t care what he says about me, and I don’t care what he thinks about me, and he should take a look in the mirror every once in a while — maybe he’d drop the weight thing off of his list of criticisms.” Christie has a way with words. He told CNN, “If we had a child who conducted themselves like that, we’d send them to their room, not to the White House.” And taking a swipe at Trump’s age as well as his infantile behavior, Christie tweeted, “At his advanced age, it is time to give up hope that Trump will ever grow up. We need a leader, not a child.” In addition, according to the New York Post, Christie has baited Trump--accusing him of being “afraid” to participate in any Republican debates because it would force him to “get on the stage against people who are serious.” Christie’s Chances in the Primaries According to the RealClearPolitics polling average for the 2024 presidential race as of June 28, Trump, favored by 52.4 percent of those polled, was leading his Republican competitors by a 30.9-point margin. Chris Christie had only 2.4 percent. Nevertheless, on ABC’s This Week, Christie pointed out that he’s only been in the race a short time and is already in third place in New Hampshire, “only four points behind Ron DeSantis, who’s been in the race for a longer time and is supposed to be the co-frontrunner.” Despite his low numbers, Christie has garnered well-heeled backers. According to CNBC, the financial world feels helpless seeing Trump on the way to winning the GOP primary again and hopes that Christie can “at least wound him in the early stages of the 2024 election.” An unnamed veteran GOP fundraiser told CNBC: “At the moment what’s occurring is all of the donors that … want somebody to take shots at Trump, are now starting to coalesce around Christie and that’s most of the Wall Street crowd because they hate [Trump].” Christie’s backers have formed the Tell It Like It Is PAC. The PAC is led by Brian Jones, an aide who advised Senator John McCain’s presidential bid in 2008 and Mitt Romney’s in 2012, and by Republican National Committee member Bill Palatucci, as well as Russ Schriefer, who was a senior advisor for the Romney presidential campaign. The Dangers of Chris Christie’s Primary Bid With his guts, blunt speech, and modicum of brains, Christie can easily match Trump and smack down his schoolyard barbs. But as much as Christie may now try to present himself as a principled GOP answer to Trump, he is no Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger. Christie is one of the ruthless political pragmatists who put Trump in power the first time around, and helped him through his second presidential run as well. Christie endorsed Trump in 2016, and acted as an informal adviser during his presidency, even after having been dumped as the head of Trump’s transition team. In 2020, Christie, along with five or six others—none of them wearing Covid masks—helped prepare Trump for his first debate with then candidate Joe Biden. Christie caught Covid for his trouble. In his 2021 book, Republican Rescue, Christie revealed that Donald Trump called him while he was being hospitalized, and asked "Are you gonna say you got it from me?" Still, Christie did not finally split from Trump until election night 2020, when the former president claimed there had been widespread voter fraud. Christie refused to support that claim and, after the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, Christie supported Trump’s second impeachment. One may cheer at the thought of Christie now turning—of somebody among the Republican hopefuls–finally counterattacking Trump in the way that they all should have done as far back as 2016. But no one should be fooled into thinking that Chris Christie is a moderate alternative: During his terms as governor of New Jersey, Christie vetoed legislation to implement a millionaire tax five different times. He signed laws decreasing state pension benefits for future hires and called for the elimination of cost-of-living adjustments for all current and future retirees. According to the New Jersey Education Policy Forum, Christie’s 2017 school funding proposal was “one of the least equitable in the country,” aiding the state’s most-affluent districts while slashing the school budgets of the poorest districts. Christie rejected permanent bans of fracking in New Jersey and settled a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil for environmental contamination with terms favorable to Exxon—which had donated $500,000 to the Republican Governors Association while Christie was its chairman. And, according to the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) Christie has “a lengthy record of hostility towards reproductive freedom.” As governor, he “stripped organizations that provide abortion care of funding and has been an outspoken advocate for Republican governors seeking to restrict abortion rights in their states.” Christie opposed Roe v. Wade when he was New Jersey’s governor and has said that striking it down was “the right decision to make for the Court.” In his current bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Christie has claimed that the economy is the No. 1 issue and that abortion, as a lesser issue, doesn’t matter. While it is refreshing and heartening to see someone boldly call out Trump for what he is, voters should still be careful what they wish for. Candidates who start out with small poll numbers have been underestimated before. Christie is sharp and articulate. If he should get the Republican presidential nomination and win the 2024 election, the nation will just be exchanging one right-wing loudmouth for another—albeit a much smarter one. Political columnist Jessie Seigel had a long career as a government attorney in which she honed her analytic skills. She has also twice received an Artist’s Fellowship from the Washington, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities for her fiction, and has been a finalist for a number of literary awards. In addition, Seigel is an associate editor at the Potomac Review, a reviewer for The Washington Independent Review of Books, and a dabbler in political cartoons at Daily Kos. Of this balance in her work between the analytic and the imaginative, Seigel jokes, “I guess my right and left brains are well-balanced.” More on and from Seigel can be found at The Adventurous Writer, https://www.jessieseigel.com.

By Judi Markowitz / Detroit Shepping naches: It was glorious graduation day in Detroit for Shoshana Leiba, the author's granddaughter, and her family It’s graduation season and I couldn’t be happier. I love attending graduation ceremonies —they fill me with joy and nostalgia. I have been to more commencements than I can count. After teaching high school seniors for 34 years, I have definitely racked up quite a few. Reflecting on these special moments brings back memories of my own children when they graduated. I can recall with clarity each milestone from nursery school through college. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing the bright smiles and jubilation radiating from a graduate — no matter their age. And to top it off, last Monday, June 19th, I was privileged to attend the eighth-grade graduation of my oldest granddaughter, Shoshana Leiba. This was no ordinary graduation ceremony. Shoshana attends an Orthodox Jewish religious school in Southfield, Mich. The classes are separated by gender and Shoshana’s teachers are all women. This particular evening was dedicated to Shoshana’s class of 20 young ladies. The boy’s school was about to celebrate their eighth-grade graduation a day later. The graduation ceremony was held in the auditorium of the school. Only immediate family members were invited due to the size of the room. Men and women sat separately—on opposite sides of the auditorium. As a secular Jew with observant family members, I have become thoroughly acquainted with many such traditions. According to Orthodox Jewish customs, there is a separation of genders when it comes to celebrations such as weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, synagogue services, engagement parties and, of course, graduations. Basically, this is commonplace whenever large Torah observant groups mingle. But at home, these families don’t make this distinction with their children. When the guests were finally seated the processional began. It was quite short considering the number of girls in attendance. They proudly walked down the middle aisle and took their designated seats at the front of the room. It was a delight to observe the special outfits each girl chose to wear for the occasion. All the graduates looked like they could have been modeling the latest in couture— they were truly fashionistas. Being observant, women are expected to be tzniut — this is Yiddish for modesty. In terms of clothing, tzniut means that skirts and dresses are the norm in the Orthodox community — no pants. However, when participating in athletics, leggings are usually worn under a skirt. Hem lines for skirts and dresses can begin just below the knee as well. Blouses, sweaters, or any type of top should cover the elbows and collarbone too. The underlying idea is to for women and girls to present themselves in a dignified manner. The graduates were anxious to start the program for the evening. Administrators and teachers spoke first. They congratulated the graduates and praised them for their devotion to their studies and HaShem — God. After this, speeches were given by six young girls from the graduating class. All were delivered in English, except for one, which was done entirely in Hebrew. At this stage most of the girls are fluent in Hebrew. The selection process for the speakers was not based on their GPA’s, perfect attendance or public service. Everyone was given the opportunity to write a speech for the ceremony, but only a few volunteered. It’s not easy to speak in front of a crowd and for some of the girls this was their first experience being asked. Shoshana Leiba was one of the speakers. To say the least, my husband Jeffrey and I were very proud of her. The girls did not reflect on memories of their past years in school, world events, or social media issues. The central theme of each speech focused on that week’s parsha — the different section of the Torah (Five Books of Moses) that is read and studied each week. This week’s parsha was Korach , which highlights an uprising orchestrated by Korach against Moses. (It did not end well for Korach.) Shoshana Leiba began her speech by thanking her teachers and classmates for supporting and welcoming her when she started school in the sixth grade. It was the middle of the school year when she and her family moved back to Michigan from Israel. She was grateful for their warmth and genuine friendship. After these introductory comments, Shoshana Leiba was laser focused on explaining that the previous week’s Torah readings all connect to similar ideas. In a nutshell, Korach wanted to be the High Priest, to experience the absolute closeness with God that results from entry into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. Moses responded, that while this was a worthy desire, even one that he himself yearned for, nevertheless HaShem had told him to appoint his own brother, Aharon, as the high priest. Korach didn’t understand, or want to accept, that Moses was only following the dictates of HaShem, and was not falling prey to nepotism. According to the Torah, at Mount Sinai, God told the Jewish people that they are “a kingdom of priests,” that every Jew has the potential to attain the level of a high priest, nevertheless different people realize their potential in different ways. Korach and his 250 followers wanted their holy spark to flourish, albeit they erred in their approach, leading to their downfall. However, Shoshana Leiba garnered more than just the events that were discussed in this parsha. She stated that even though the Jewish people had been wandering for 40 years in the desert, had made other mistakes along the way, and didn’t always understand the path they were being taken on, they still needed to have continuous faith in God — He had a plan. Shoshana emphasized “We too have been on an incredible journey thus far, enveloped in God’s warm embrace. We have been traveling like our ancestors, and HaShem will continue to guide and lead us upon all our journeys in life — no matter where they may take us. We just need to keep our eyes and minds focused.” Life’s winding road is not only about the destination; it is also about the journey as well. In Hebrew, Shoshana translates to “a rose” and metaphorically represents the beauty of the Jewish people. The name Leiba, which is Yiddish, means heart. My granddaughter’s speech truly reflected the passion and sincerity of her commitment to Torah-observant Judaism — just like her name. As I sat in the audience listening to Shoshana, I felt such naches! I was also reminded that I am now part of the older generation, but I too, have many more journeys to experience. Life has moved quickly. What seems like a minute has been years since my parents sat next to me at their grandchildren’s graduations. Now, it’s just a memory and one that I dearly embrace. I love spending time with my grandchildren — it’s a privilege that I do not take for granted. At this juncture I am quite aware of the ticking clock and want to make the most of our adventures. The graduation was definitely a highlight. When the ceremony ended and the graduates filed out of the room, pictures were taken, and refreshments became the main event. Shoshana Leiba was basking in the glory of the moment while talking with friends and family. Plans were already under way for a party later that evening —a girls-only event! Teenagers just want to have fun and celebrate a wonderful moment in their lives whether they are religious or secular — and a party was just the ticket. Mazel tov, Shoshana Leiba! Onward and upward to the next milestone–high school! Judi Markowitz is a retired high school English teacher of 34 years. She primarily taught 12th grade and had the pleasure of her three sons gracing her classes. In addition, she taught debate, forensics, and Detroit film. Judi has four adult children and seven wonderful grandchildren. She is married to Jeffrey Markowitz, whom she met in high school. Judi grew up in Oak Park, Mich. which had a stellar school district, with excellent teachers. The city provided activities for all–and there were even sidewalks. Judi moved to Huntington Woods as an adult, which is a half mile from her childhood home. She wanted the same experience for her children as she had growing up, and Huntington Woods provided that. The View from Four Foot Two is Judi’s first book.

By Bonnie Fishman / San Francisco Bay Area There was never a truer title because I’m filing this story from about 100 miles inside the Arctic Circle in Kiruna, Sweden. This is not my first foray into all things Arctic. In 2015, when my sister Marcia and I, after taking a detour on our way to Israel that wasn’t on the itinerary, went to Tromso, Norway, the northernmost city in the world. Since then, we’ve had a “jones” for that eerie midnight sun glow. Now we’re experiencing it in Sweden with two traveling companions, Becky and Shelly, both from suburban Detroit. Marcia and I planned this trip back in January to get out of the California summer heat. We chose Kiruna not just because the sun never sets there in June during the summer solstice, but because it is the furthest possible destination in Sweden, a country where neither of us had ever been. When friends have asked if we had travel plans this summer, my answer has been “We’re going to northern Sweden for the summer solstice–the longest day of the year–where the sun doesn’t set.” Often the response has been, “Oh, you’ll see the northern lights?” Listen up people: There is NO Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) where it doesn’t get dark! Getting to the top of the world is not for weenies. We left the house at 10:30 a.m. to fly from San Francisco to Amsterdam (10 hours), with a traumatic layover at Schipol Airport. The throng of passengers standing in line to get through passport control was staggering. Then we took a nearly milelong hike to the wrong gate (posted incorrectly) and a mile back. Miraculously, we did make our flight to Stockholm. This all preceded an interminably long overnight train to Kiruna (18 hours), both of us crammed into a berth for two, the size of my storage closet at home, about 30 square feet. I couldn’t stretch my arms across the width of the cabin. When the purser came to collect tickets and opened our door, our rolling luggage shot out into the hall where the purser fended them off with her feet. I “slept” on an 18” bed. I prayed that when the train lurched, I didn’t roll off. In reality, there was no room on the floor for me to land! Now we’ve been in transit from Monday morning through Wednesday dinner. I haven’t slept in days. The fact that it’s full daylight here 24/7 doesn’t help. But I still love it here. I can’t get enough of this crazy light. I feel like I’m in a movie where the filmmaker has put an odd filter on the lens. We’re settled into a hotel complex surrounded by nature with individual cabins near the central building, as well as a lounge, shops, and a terrific restaurant. Our first dinner was stellar. I enjoyed Zander, a local fish that resembles freshwater walleye, in a cream sauce with pickled onions and potatoes. The breakfast the next day did not disappoint. The massive buffet featured a charcuterie that included house smoked gravlax and dill herring, crêpes with lingonberries and blueberries, fresh yogurt, eggs with deep yellow yolks, porridge, and homemade breads, jams and sweets. After this fabulous breakfast, we visited the schizophrenic town. What makes it so crazy? Kiruna has the largest iron ore mine in the world and because of many years of excavation, the city is sinking nearly 500 feet a year! So, the government is moving the buildings one by one to a new location three miles away. Which one should we visit? The old part is desolate as most of the businesses have already moved. The new center is a giant construction site with unfinished roads, scarce sidewalks, and very few signs. Where were we? It felt like a soulless city created from nothing. Well, I guess it was! From there, we visited The Ice Hotel, one of the main reasons for our visit to Kiruna. The hotel, built in 1989, is made out of solid ice and is kept at 17 degrees. We donned heavy parkas before entering. It is a wonderland of stunning ice sculptures. Each guest room has a different theme. Guests sleep on blocks of ice like oysters on the half shell! No thank you. Touring the hotel was enough for me. Last night, we sussed out one of the best street foods in Sweden from the Stejk Food Truck. Don’t ask. I am not a sub person; however, I never knew a sub could taste so good. Mind you it was reindeer and bacon, not your everyday combination. You could also get a moose reindeer burger. Today, we took the rare opportunity to visit a dog sledding kennel. They have 100 Alaskan huskies there, which are mixed with different breeds. Very few look like classic Siberian huskies. We were able to take a cart ride through the woods, being pulled by a six-dog team. These animals are thrilled to work. At the end of the visit, we sat in a small wooden structure, with hot coffee brewed over an open fire. Delicious small cardamom cinnamon sweet rolls were served. Lunch at our resort was a beautifully presented fixed menu that began with a smorgasbord of herring, eggs, potatoes, dill, and trout roe. The main course was roast chicken breast with lingonberry sauce and risotto with asparagus and spinach. Perfect creamy cheesecake with fresh strawberries rounded off the meal. We’re on our way to Stockholm for four nights, this time by plane instead of the train. Stayed tuned next week for my Stockholm experience. Sorry, no moose reindeer burger recipe today as I do not have the ability to cook here. It’s nice to have someone else cook and serve me for a change! Bonnie Fishman attended the Cordon Bleu Cookery School in London. Later, she owned and operated Bonnie’s Patisserie in Southfield, Mich. and Bonnie’s Kitchen and Catering in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. She has taught cooking for over 35 years and created hundreds of recipes. She is now living in Northern California.

By Laurence Lerman / New York City The best-known and best-liked actress of her generation, the always game Jennifer Lawrence, returned to the big screen in a big way this week with the arrival of her latest movie, the R-rated comedy No Hard Feelings. No Hard Feelings opened wide on 3,208 screens in North America on Friday, June 23, ringing up $15 million, which isn’t bad for a theatrical comedy these days. It landed in fourth place for the weekend, following Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in the top spot with $19.3 million, Disney/Pixar’s animated adventure Elemental with $18.5 million and the superhero epic The Flash with $15.3 million. A lively, hard-R comedy (and a sort of romantic comedy) that combines the gross-out oomph of a Porky’s movie with the occasional late-blooming coming-of-age cleverness and insight of The Graduate, No Hard Feelings was directed by Gene Stupinsky, a frequent director and co-writer of TV’s venerable The Office. Stupinsky co-authored the screenplay with John Phillips. The movie trains its eye on the financially strapped, thirtyish Maddie (Lawrence), an out-of-work Uber driver. Maddie’s car has been repossessed and she’s on the verge of losing her family home in lovely Montauk, Long Island, where she’s been a lifelong resident. Desperate for cash and a car, Maddie answers an intriguing Craigslist job listing put up by a wealthy couple (Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti) who are looking for someone to “date” their introverted and gawky 19-year-old son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) and give him a summer injection of life experience before he leaves for his freshman year at Princeton in the fall. (“Date him hard!,” Percy’s father insists.) Though the premise is a bit tough to swallow (would a woman with Lawrence’s natural confidence, pride, intelligence and beauty go to such extremes for a car?), I went along with No Hard Feelings as an “anything goes” romantic comedy, a genre that can always use some room to breathe. What’s funniest is that it’s those very qualities that Lawrence exudes—the ones I don’t buy in her character—that make her so eminently watchable on the screen. Newcomer Andrew Barth Feldman is adequate in his role as a weirdly un-horny male teenager who initially doesn’t appear to be at all interested in losing his virginity or even getting playful with his potential erotic tutor. His chemistry with Lawrence comes in waves and is at its most potent when the two get involved in a series of outrageous scenarios, including a nutty one involving a naked late-night ocean swim. Co-stars Benanti and Broderick are on target as Montauk summer homeowners whose helicopter parenting of their son has turned him into a loner who’s as prepared for the Princeton social scene as a bashful Bar Mitzvah boy. And Scott MacArthur and the always fun Natalie Morales add not-too-serious voices of reason to the proceedings as Maddie’s married friends. There’s a nice energy at work in No Hard Feelings that helps to fill in the slower patches of the plot, which remains hit-or-miss when it comes to its situations and jokes. But it’s still a comedy and there isn’t any damage done as it winds down to an inevitable conclusion that finds two off-center people helping each other to grow. The audience is the big winner here as it gets a new movie from Jennifer Lawrence, who’s still one of the world’s most popular and likeable actresses. She hasn’t entirely been missing in action but she’s been on a bit of a hiatus over the last several years. Lawrence and her husband Cooke Maroney had a baby in February 2022 and she wasn’t planning on working in the immediate future. But then the script for No Hard Feelings landed on her desk and the whole new motherhood thing took a backseat, though the idea of starring in a hard-R comedy, her first, wasn’t part of her plan. But Lawrence liked what she read and committed to the film that spring, also signing on as a co-producer. Principal photography began in September 2022. “Doing a loud comedy is out of my comfort zone, but I wasn’t uncomfortable. I had such a good time,” Lawrence told the British culture site TheUpcoming.com at the movie’s London premiere on June 12. “The script was just the funniest thing I ever read, so I just couldn’t wait to make it.” No Hard Feelings is the first wide release that Lawrence has appeared in since 2019’s poorly received Dark Phoenix, an entry in Marvel Entertainment’s X-Men franchise. Since then, she’s also popped up in the A-list ensemble of the end-of-the-world feature Don’t Look Up (2022) and the small PTSD drama Causeway (2022), in which she portrayed a scarred soldier trying to adjust to civilian life after serving in Afghanistan. Distributed by Netflix and Apple TV, respectively, both films saw only limited theatrical releases before their streaming platform debuts. Of course, Lawrence has displayed her formidable comedy chops in her three collaborations with David O. Russell. The first two, Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and American Hustle (2013), were both critical and commercial office successes, with Lawrence winning a Best Actress Oscar for the former and earning a Best Supporting Actress nomination for the latter. The third, 2015’s underrated Joy, didn’t really click with audiences or the box office, but two out of three ain’t bad, right? Lawrence’s trio of films with Russell all featured strong casts delivering the filmmaker’s deeply nuanced scripts, which played more as comedy-dramas than out-and-out laugh fests. And while Lawrence certainly garnered the most momentum and praise of those involved, they’re still identified as ensemble pieces and not as single star vehicles. But that was then, and this is now, and though she has a lot of help in No Hard Feelings—just as she did in 2012’s very successful The Hunger Games and its sequels—it’s only Lawrence’s name above the title this time around. And if this past weekend is any indication, that’s exactly where audiences want Jennifer Lawrence to be. Laurence Lerman is a film journalist, former editor of Video Business--Variety's DVD trade publication--and husband to The Insider's own Gwen Cooper. Over the course of his career he has conducted one-on-one interviews with just about every major director working today, including Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Clint Eastwood, Kathryn Bigelow, Ridley Scott, Walter Hill, Spike Lee, and Werner Herzog, among numerous others. Once James Cameron specifically requested an interview with Laurence by name, which his wife still likes to brag about. Most recently, he is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the online review site DiscDish.com.

By Andy Borowitz | The New Yorker June 26, 2023 PALM BEACH (The Borowitz Report)—GThe situation in Russia descended into further uncertainty after Kari Lake stunned geopolitical experts by declaring herself the new leader of the Wagner Group. Speaking from the mercenary force’s new headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, the former anchorwoman claimed that she won the leadership of Wagner by a landslide. She warned Russian state media against questioning her claim to the Wagner helm. “I will be your worst frickin’ nightmare,” she said. Wagner troops expressed surprise at Lake’s sudden elevation and reservations about whether she would be an improvement over their former leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin. “She seems really mean,” one said. Andy Borowitz is a Times best-selling author and a comedian who has written for The New Yorker since 1998. He writes The Borowitz Report, a satirical column on the news.

By Dr. Nancy Fishman / Morgan Hill, Calif. I’ve always been fascinated with stories of how two people meet and fall in love. Are pairings random? Or are there specific factors that create an attraction strong enough for people to risk disappointment and hurt in search of the right fit? As a psychologist, I’m prone to analyze attraction and couplings by examining the emotional needs that drive individuals towards each other. In my May 28 article, Loneliness, a Human Plague, I talk about the avoidance of loneliness as the primary motivation in seeking a partnership, whether it be a love relationship, business association or friendship. This time, let’s focus on love relationships. What magnetic forces are at work that bring people together? Is it a preconceived, idealized image of a perfect match, a single must-have trait, or a check list of qualities that influences the pairing? Perhaps it is love at first sight, damn the red flags. Adrienne and Tony met at a coffee shop before work. Standing in line, Tony breathed in the essence of coconut from Adrienne’s still wet hair. She could see his muscular physique through his thin shirt. Their eyes met and each felt the moment electrify. The drive to connect took on a life of its own. No thought process could stop them from being together. In the early stage of their relationship, neither asked if this were right. They could only declare, “We’re in love and that’s the only thing that matters. Love conquers all, and we’ll figure out the rest later.” Is it any wonder when love-at-first-sight pairings result in surprise endings? I am not saying these meetings are always doomed. Anything is possible! Certainly, at some point we become aware of the characteristics present in potential partners; we tend to aggrandize some and rationalize away others. Unlike Adrienne and Tony, some people are more cautious daters, especially if they have already sent out their hearts a few times and been burned. They may even create a set of criteria in an attempt to predict a good pairing outcome. But these self-designed surveys are not always reliable. Take Selma and Jeff, for example, who met on a dating website. The application was a questionnaire that requested a detailed wish list for one’s dream date. Over a few weeks, Selma and Jeff became acquainted by texting, talking, and identifying significant features they desired in a partner. A first in-person date led to many others. Eight months later, things were looking quite positive for their future together. One Saturday afternoon, they made plans for a picnic in the countryside. In search of a romantic spot to enjoy the day, they happened upon a small mom-and-pop shop replete with cheese, bread, fruit and wine. As the gray-haired shop owner tallied their items, she accidentally forgot to ring up the wine. Jeff realized her mistake, winked at Selma, gathered the purchase and walked out the door. Selma broke up with Jeff that very day. Even with extreme caution, we can’t always see a person’s true colors. My dear friend Esty gave me a great piece of advice years ago when I was dating. She said, “You can’t really be sure about people you date during the first six months because they are still conscious of good behavior, but if you wait a full year, they are likely to show you exactly who they are.” Love at first sight or dating checklists are not for everyone. In some cases, people are looking for a mate with a single specific characteristic; its absence is a deal-breaker. Examples of these requirements are geographic proximity, compatible work schedules, a certain body type, or green eyes. Back in the early ’70s, a time when there was a significant emphasis on appearance, and women and men were commonly objectified, I was at a party where the conversation turned to dating. One of the single guys announced unabashedly that he was in search of a woman to marry who was a natural blonde. Having had a few drinks, he revealed his penchant for blonde pubic hair. Some months later I saw him on a date with a blonde-haired woman, whom I subsequently learned was on the hunt for a professional man to marry. Apparently, she had found Mr. Right, the guy who met her prerequisite. To keep him on the hook, she told her new boyfriend she would not have sex with him before marriage. After a brief courtship during which his patience expired, she proudly became the wife of a CPA as had been her plan. On their honeymoon, her new husband was horrified to discover his wife was blonde by the bottle! Most romantic attractions occur either because of strong physical magnetism, or because of some emotional need created during childhood. Some believe the former is merely a prelude to the unrevealed subconscious drive to be with a particular type of person. It’s hard enough to find the right mate when your eyes are wide open. Enter...the subconscious, that most influential part of us that works around the clock, prompting us to select potential mates who will fulfill our needs and wishes. Whether we are acutely aware, or completely in the dark, about potential life partners, we continue the search; after all, we are social beings built for relationships. We will forge on looking for the right match. However we get there, remember...the last step is always a leap of faith! Nancy Fishman, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, consultant, and author. Visit her website for an extended biography and more information: www.NancyFishmanPhD.com