Thirteen hundred years have passed since the birth of Western Europe’s great musical tradition. Gregorian chant, first heard in the eighth century, is mother to a miraculous offspring including motets, cantatas, sonatas, operas, concertos, and symphonies, but perhaps most miraculous, the most unlikely of all her children, is the 19th-century German “Lied,” translated literally, “song.”…
Farmer Finds Fallen Leopard Drowning in Deep Well in India—Until Trap Lowered to Save Him
The intense moment a drowning leopard was rescued from a well has been caught on camera. The approximately 7-year-old male leopard had fallen into an open well in Beslar village in Maharashtra, western India. A local farmer spotted the big cat paddling to stay afloat as he struggled to stop himself from drowning in the…
Pasties, Porketta, and Potica: Culinary Gems of the Iron Range
In northeastern Minnesota, dotting a landscape called the Iron Range, there are cities with names such as Hibbing, Virginia, Chisholm, Nashwauk, and Eveleth, and in these cities are bakeries, delis, bars, restaurants, and church fundraisers that sell delicious things beginning with the letter “p.” Delicious things that have been part of the region’s identity since…
Iron Range Porketta
You can buy prepared porketta in most supermarkets in northern Minnesota and in other parts of the country these days, but it is well worth making your own. I use the porketta recipe from B.J. Carpenter’s “Come, You Taste: Family Recipes From the Iron Range.” It can be served as a traditional roast, but I…
Hawaiian Man Helps Homeless Army Veteran in Mental Health Crisis Reunite With Estranged Family
Saddened by the sight of a homeless man pacing the streets outside his storefront in Hawaii, a business owner approached the troubled man and found out some details about him. With help, the business owner tracked down his family in Toledo, Ohio, reuniting them and giving the homeless man a chance to start over. Tom…
Sailor in Santa Monica Bay Led to Woman Stranded Miles From Shore by Dolphins, Saves Her Life
A freshly licensed sailing enthusiast from L.A. County last month set out on his maiden voyage—and happened upon a young woman struggling to stay afloat, alone in Santa Monica Bay. His coincidental encounter with the stranded swimmer ended up saving her life. IT business owner Koz Khosravani, 59, recently acquired his pre-owned sailboat and had invited…
2022 RX 450h F Sport AWD
Lexus introduced the world’s first luxury hybrid vehicle — a gas/electric RX- – more than a decade ago. The new RX 450h introduced today in this column is a perfect reflection of the hybrid leader position cemented by its first generation predecessor. The new RX is powered by Lexus Hybrid Drive. The D4-S 3.5-liter V6…
Episode 9: Belgium – Hex Castle
Count and Countess d’Ursel have invited noble friends to a festive dinner to mark the international plant and flower show taking place on their estate. Ingredients from their historic garden will be the focus of the evening, in particular rose petals from the famous rose garden. Count Ghislain D’Ursel has hired Belgian top chef Claude…
A Lighter Pumpkin Dessert for Thanksgiving
You’ve enjoyed your Thanksgiving feast and still have room for something sweet. That’s where this dessert comes in. No heavy pie crusts here, just a pumpkin custard. An American favorite, pumpkin pie filling, pairs up with a Mexican-style flan to solve the dessert dilemma on holiday tables and throughout the cooler months. This flan has…
Shen Yun: Fighting Persecution Through Art
The curtain opens, and principal dancer Steven Wang leaps out, unfurling a banner in his hands. On it, five characters are written. They read: Falun Dafa is good. For daring to utter these few simple words, tens of millions in China, including Wang’s family, face severe persecution by China’s communist regime. Wang, a classical Chinese dancer,…
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