Category Archives: Nostalgia

He’s baaack!*

Commentary *No, not Arnold (although based on a State Farm Super Bowl ad, he might be) but… JON STEWART!!! Yes, Jon Stewart is back. But before I get into Stewart’s return to The Daily Show, I thought I’d start today’s post with a little Around the Block history and why The Daily Show with JonContinue reading “He’s baaack!*”

In a tribute to “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” final season, The Foward’s list of the 18 most Jewish episodes.

Commentary Larry David’s HBO show has a lot to say about being Jewish. I wanted to get this out last night, on Erev* “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” final season, but my many social events intervened. *Evening – traditionally Jewish holidays and celebrations begin the night before the actual event. And, if there’s any reason to celebrateContinue reading “In a tribute to “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” final season, The Foward’s list of the 18 most Jewish episodes.”

Jackie Robinson’s Second Job

Commentary/Nostalgia By day, he played second base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. By night, he sold televisions in Queens. I thought I’d take a break from my typical current events focussed commentary to reprint an article originally published in The New Yorker magazine on January 7, 1950 with the original headline “Success.” In an era before multi-yearContinue reading “Jackie Robinson’s Second Job”

Around the Block goes back to a time when Dianne & Lindsey were sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

Commentary/Flashback/News with a Twist Back in 2020, a friend was struggling with how to deal with Senator Dianne Feinstein’s fawning praise of Senator Lindsey Graham. I helped him write a letter…two actually. The image accompanying this story was taken at the conclusion of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s confirmation hearings of Amy Coney Barrett back inContinue reading “Around the Block goes back to a time when Dianne & Lindsey were sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!””

Taking a break from Trump, DeSantis and the MAGA crowd…

Commentary …Around the Block talks musical theater…with a slight Trump detour I couldn’t resist writing about. How about a change of pace from the usual Around the Block topics? Frankly, I’m Trump’d, DeSantis’d, CPAC’d and MAGA’d out. And based on the number of views of my last post, “I’m a MAGA, she’s a MAGA, he’sContinue reading “Taking a break from Trump, DeSantis and the MAGA crowd…”

Around the Block looks back: Florida’s 2012 voter registration law

Commentary Voter suppression then, voter suppression now; will we ever learn? In a recent Around the Block, I suggested that every once in a while I’d take a look back at archived columns that might still have some relevance today. As I said, “I’ve been writing Around the Block on and off since 2012. A lot hasContinue reading “Around the Block looks back: Florida’s 2012 voter registration law”

The late Jewish comic, Jacob Rodney Cohen’s (aka Rodney Dangerfield*) most famous catchphrase, “I don’t get no respect,” is, for South Florida, truer than ever.

(*What, you thought his name was really ‘Dangerfield?) Commentary Rise up, South Florida’s Jewish community – a traveling exhibition celebrating Jewish delicatessens is landing in Houston and Chicago…but not here! Many years ago, when I first started writing Around the Block, I introduced my stories with a line I shamelessly lifted from Chris Hayes ofContinue reading “The late Jewish comic, Jacob Rodney Cohen’s (aka Rodney Dangerfield*) most famous catchphrase, “I don’t get no respect,” is, for South Florida, truer than ever.”

Around the Block is back! Did you know it was gone?

Commentary As the SF 49ers play their last regular season game/first pre-post-season game, are they back too? Around the Block has been pretty quiet the last few weeks. Perhaps it’s because of the holidays. More likely it’s due to self-inflicted trauma after realizing, and writing about the fact “we’re not in danger of losing ourContinue reading “Around the Block is back! Did you know it was gone?”

‘The Many Saints of Newark’ airs tomorrow

Commentary For ‘Sopranos’ fans, this prequel is “must see TV” even if the reviews are mixed I’m not sure about you, but as I write this on September 30, I have only one thing on my mind. No, not my usual blathering about Ron DeSantis or Marco Rubio. Or immigration. Or our dysfunctional political system.Continue reading “‘The Many Saints of Newark’ airs tomorrow”