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_january_vol_1
_exhibits_lectures
D.C's Botanical Gardens
I visited the Botanical Garden's Conservatory over the holidays and it is spectacular, particularly the orchids. I've heard it's best to go on a weekday. If you're lucky enough to live/work nearby, spend your lunch hour wandering through the medicinal plants and the tropical forest. Also view the Fountain at Bartholdi Park, just steps from the conservatory. The same designer sculpted the Statue of Liberty.
Chicago's Botanical Garden
The Chicago Botanical Garden has a stunning new exhibit, In Search of Paradise, through March 30th.
Sargent and Italy
John Singer Sargent's Italian portraits and landscapes are on exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, February 2nd through May 11th.
_books_readings
Eggers Haunts Brooklyn
Visit 429 7th Avenue in Brooklyn. It may look like a dusty, abandoned museum of decaying Victoriana, but it's just a front for McSweeney's bookstore.
A.S. Byatt in SF and L.A.
The author of _Posession_ discusses her new novel, _A Whispering Woman_ on January 24th at Book Passage and on January 30th at the Skirball Cultural Center.
Chinaberry Books
If you have children or know someone who does, check out the brainchild of Ann Ruethling, a mother who sought inspirational, magical books for her children. Finding that many children's books contained sexism and violence, she began researching alternatives. Her search resulted in the Chinaberry catalog.
Apples of Gold In Settings of Silver, Carolin C. Young
_Apples of Gold_...details famous dinner parties throughout history. A Medici wedding and a William Morris supper are but two of the scandalously decadent dinners covered in this gorgeous book.
_sweet_tooth
Amy's Bread, Manhattan
In December's Elle Decor, the art dealer Louis Bofferding listed Amy's Bread as one of the "12 Things he can't live without." Since he also loves Gainsborough's painting The Mall in St. James's Park (ca. 1783) and The Magnificent Ambersons (the Orson Welles-directed version), I know I can recommend this bakery without having tasted its wares. Mr. Bofferding recommends the double chocolate-pecan cookie served on an Elsie de Wolfe blanc-de-chine plate with a double espresso. If you won't be in NY anytime in the near future, order the Amy's Bread Cookbook.
Martine's Chocolates
French chocolates are right up there with novels by George Elliot and Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet, all treats meant to be savored. Either visit the candy boutique at Bloomies, New York, or order these delectable chocolates online. The chocolate cameos are particularly quaint. Some people may even find them too pretty to eat. I wouldn't be one of those people.
_art
Julie Heffernan, Artist
Heffernan's paintings are disturbing and beautiful. She visualizes the subconscious fears that gave rise to classic fables/allegories.
_film
Frida
Frida is lush and surreal and Salma Hayek gives a spirited, strong performance as the famous Mexican artist.
Talk To Her
Beautiful and poignant. Almodovar explores, among other things, what happens when and how men discover the art of communication. The opening scene, where the two leading men watch a moving dance performance, is particularly haunting and the bullfight scene is thrilling.