CHICAGO AT A GLANCE: VISIT THE CENTRAL DOWNTOWN AREA : Millennium Park, Cloud Gate "The Bean" & Pritzker Pavillion,  VISIT the museum at the Art Institute of Chicago. (they are all walking distance in a wonderful part of the city)  Check out AVEC restaurant - I love this place....  I would say kinda a french, spanish, moroccan, italo, porto, greek  mediterranean cross section - in a modern dub style  one of My favorite restaurants in Chicago http://www.avecrestaurant.com/ 615 W Randolph St /  Chicago, IL 60661 / (312) 377-2002   Some other suggestions:   Lunch or dinner or wine / cheese & cocktails   Terzo Piano Restaurant above the Modern Wing Art Institute of Chicago 159 E monroe st /  Chicago, IL / (312) 443-8650  http://www.terzopianochicago.com/   Honest good french food. Le bouchon: French bistro: 1958 N Damen Ave http://www.lebouchonofchicago.com/   Le Colonial ~ French Vietnamese fine dining restaurant:  937 North Rush Street   Frontera Grill |  Rick Bayless’s spot 445 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654   Bob San Restaurant: Sushi : 1805 W Division St http://www.bob-san.com/ - try the hamachi with jalepeno and house salad.   CHEAP EATS:   Song do : Korean B.B.Q. : 4918 N Lincoln Ave  (table side / cook it yourself... good.   La Pasadita: The best steak Tacos: 1141 N. Ashland Ave /  street food - the best.   BEST COFFEE HOUSES IN CHICAGO:   Milk & Honey Cafe 1920 W Division St / Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 395-9434 (between Winchester Ave & Wolcott Ave) www.milkandhoneycafe.com         BEST COCKTAIL BARS IN CHICAGO:   "Curio" (in the basement of Gilt Bar) dark and candle lit, underground basement  high end cocktails, sometimes Jazz 230 W Kinzie St /  Chicago, IL 60654  / (312) 464-9544 Near North Side, River North   The Violet Hour: A proper cocktail bar, swank and delicious, 1520 N Damen Ave   THE GREEN MILL: A Classic Al Capone era bar historical. www.greenmilljazz.com 4802 N Broadway St   (773) 878-5552       BEST STREET BARS:   Danny's bar: 1951 W Dickens Av like a lower east NYC  side bar Gold Star bar: 1755 W Division S D I V E ! in a good way   BEST USED BOOK STORES IN CHICAGO:    Myopic Books: 1564 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL‎ - (773) 862-4882 Powels books: 1501 E 57th St, Chicago, IL‎ - (773) 955-7780 57th Street Books 1301 E 57th St, Chicago, IL‎ - (773) 684-1300‎   BEST GUITAR STORES IN CHICAGO:   Chicago music exchange - expensive,  but loaded with great stuff www.chicagomusicexchange.com 3316 N Lincoln Ave  /  Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 525-7773   Midwest Buy and Sell : used gear 6019 W Irving Park Rd  /  Chicago, IL 60634-2521  (773) 545-2020   BEST INSTRUMENT STORE IN CHICAGO:   Andy's Music; Imports and specialties:  International instruments galore 2300 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL    BEST RECORD SHOPPING: Hyde Park Records Dusty Groove Reckless records Shake Rattle & Read Book Box:  Books Records Magazines & Comics     BEST LIVE VENUES: METRO, VIC

WASHINGTON D.C. AT A GLANCE:     BARS: RECOMMENDED PLACES in ADAM'S MORGAN: " the week ends are too crazy - enter at own risk - save for the week nights if possible" Cafe Rumba (good mojitos and patagones,  or arranchera) (this place is simple and good, eat outside on the week nights)  http://www.rumbacafe.com/home.html BOSSA: bar with some varied music including brazilian etc., nice art on the walls http://bossaproject.com/ pharmacy bar - (very 'gold star' like): 2337 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 BARS OUTSIDE ADAM'S MORGAN: Cafe Saint-Ex - 14th/T St NW DC - go to the bar down stairs -  funky, small and fun - http://www.saint-ex.com/home.html Bar Pilar - 2 doors down from st ex. :   http://www.barpilar.com/location.html BLACK CAT - CLASSIC:  1811 14th St. NW  http://www.blackcatdc.com/ rock and roll hotel:  1353 H Street NE, between 12th and 13th streets http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com/portal/ science club: 1136 19th Street NW http://www.scienceclubdc.com/ Eighteenth Street Lounge  1212 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 Tabard Inn  - rest / bar by ESL - mellow - good hang on a week end night - not too many yahoos, good place for drinks and / or food. http://www.tabardinn.com/ RESTAURANTS: KOMI - 1509 17th st. between p and q   http://www.komirestaurant.com/ P S 7 - 777 I Street, NW in the Chinatown/Penn Quarter http://www.ps7restaurant.com/profiles.html Local 16 : 1602 U Street NW http://www.local16dc.com/ Blue Duck Tavern:  http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=1517 BLT Steak on Eye street (  http://www.bltsteak.com/  ) and Brasserie Beck (  http://www.beckdc.com/  ) .

Hawaii at a glance: Things to do on the island of Oahu:   Cocktails:      at the last remaining classic Tiki Bar on Oahu:   La Mariana http://www.lamarianasailingclub.com/   Lewers Lounge (elegant, relaxed, in Waikiki) 2199 Kalia Rd Honolulu, HI 96815   Food:     Real hawaiian food: "Ono hawaiian food" 726 Kapahulu Avenue Honolulu, HI  (a nice little hole in the wall) Kalua pig, Lau lau, Lomi lomi slamon)   Alan Wong Restaurant - excellent pacific fusion food: http://www.alanwongs.com/   Mavro Restaurant: (I actually haven't been yet, but word is that it's excellent... but pricey) 1969 South King Street  Honolulu, HI 96826 http://chefmavro.com/   Good island fusion restaurant: ROY's in Hawaii Kai   Classic island style simple plate lunch:  St. Louis Drive In (this Japanese lady had been serving up good food for years, lot's of really good fresh lunch choices) 3145 Waialae Ave Honolulu, HI 96816    Rainbow Drive-In (Famous, but not as good as St Louis in my opinion) www.rainbowdrivein.com 3308 Kanaina Ave Honolulu, HI 96815 (808) 737-0177   Eggs & Things Coffee shop (everyone is gonna tell you to go to this place, and yes, it is o.k., but, trust me, go to JACK’s first….. info below )   Jack's Coffee shop (breakfast - hawaiian style fish and eggs  w/ biscut and honey butter ) Aina Haina Shopping Ctr 820 W Hind Dr Honolulu, HI 96821   Asahi Grill -  good ox tail soup  515 Ward Ave Honolulu, HI 96814   Royal Hawaiian hotel for Brunch on the beach   Things to do:   Watch the giant surf on the north shore - Ehukai beach park, Waiamea Bay this is the 'Country' side of the island – beautiful   Drive along the windward side (Amazing / beautiful mountain cliffs) make sure to stop at  Makapu'u beach park - this is my favorite beach on the island - beautiful and accessable.   Hike Manoa falls trail: short and beautiful http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Manoa_3320.asp   Rent surfboards on waikiki beach - just look for the board venders by the duke kahamoku statue - any cab driver or hotel clerk will know where that is   Go to old down town "China town" it's a bit funky - but classic, good vietnamese food! best bet is lunch time to early eve (as it closes down for food - and opens up at night for bars and good seedy drinking at late night.  There are also lots of little shops with interesting thing - non tourist trap items. Aloha! have fun, Frank

My favorite record store in Chicago Go on in and say hello to owners Boomer and Joe, and peruse their wide collection of l.p.s, 45's, c.d.s, videos and dvds. Nice guys, great selection, and a real neighborhood place. I've found some real gems here, and have been turned on to some great records by them.
Link: http://www.hydeparkrecords.net/
New/Used Formats: Vinyl, CD, Videos, T-shirts, Posters, Books, DVD Styles: Punk Rock, Jazz, Experimental, Indie Rock, Collectibles, Country, Rock, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Dance, Classical, Folk, Other, Funk, Soul, Blues, Drum & Bass, House, Latin, Reggae, Metal, Pop, R&B, Soundtracks, Picture Discs, Audiophile, Ska, Rockabilly, Progressive, Ambient, Psychedelic, Comedy Listening Post: Yes

Recipes:   Tarragon Salmon Sauce: Throw a little olive oil in the pan, some chopped garlic and shallots,  (onions are good, shallots are better). Cut open a jalepeno and,  * this is the trick *  - take the seeds out, because most of the heat is in the seeds, and the heat distracts you from the flavor. Chop up the jalepeno and add it to the pan.    * (Cook's note: if you fall into love-making after dinner make     sure you wash your hands after handling jalapeno seeds...     - trust me on this!  Other wise someone's gonna get hurt)*. Now... Chop a leek up, toss it in. When the shallots and garlic get glassy, add some smoked salmon (lox). Let it bubble low. Then add some pasta to boiling water. Then add a little olive oil to help the pasta not stick together. Return to the sauce pan, add a bit of heavy cream to give it grip, a tiny bit of lemon juice, and a chopped tomato (or two).  Now... this is an important step.... grab some fresh (not dried!) tarragon, chives, parsley and dill, chop 'um up, toss 'um in the sauce & turn off the heat. Return to the pasta, Drain & add a bit of salt, pepper & butter / or olive oil. Split the pasta into bowls or plates, top with the tarragon salmon sauce.

Simple Roasted Chicken: Coat roasting pan with olive oil, Place chicken thighs in pan 'skin up' so the fat drips down into the meat when cooking. Crush lots of garlic, chopped shallots, whole jalepeno pepper, portabello mushrooms, basil and sage... layer it all on top of the chicken so the flavors soak in. Sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper on top. Cook in pre-heated oven (350) for about 1 hour. For a wine try "Mas de Gourgonnier"- a simple French red table wine - (perfectly good and "barn yard" to go with the bird). You can add salad and bread if you want... but you won't need um.

Some records I would not want to live without STAN GETZ & JOAO GILBERTO W/ TOM JOBIM "Getz / Gilberto" DUSTY SPRINGFIELD IN MEMPHIS  VAN MORRISON: ASTRAL WEEKS NICK DRAKE: BRYTER LAYTER SADE: LOVERS ROCK GABBY PAHINUI: "BROWN GABBY' THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO CAETANO VELOSO: JÓIA PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA JONI MITCHELL: BLUE HANK WILLIAMS: COLLECTION SOUL TO  SOUL: KEEP ON MOVING GABBY PAHINUI: RABBIT ISLAND FESTIVAL HAPPY MONDAYS: PILLS 'N' THRILLS AND BELLYACHES MARVIN GAYE: WHAT'S GOING ON? GABBY PAHINUI "BROWN ALBUM" DR. BUZZARD'S ORIGINAL SAVANNAH BAND PATSY CLINE COLLECTION BILLY HOLIDAY COLLECTION MINNIE RIPERTON "COME TO MY GARDEN" TYRONE DAVIS   COLLECTION MATERIAL: THE THIRD POWER BOB DYLAN: BLONDE ON BLONDE BOB DYLAN: GREATEST HITS VOL. 2 SCOTT WALKER: 4 JACK KEROUAC: W/ STEVE ALLEN "POETRY FOR THE BEAT GENERATION" THE MOODY BLUES: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST THE MOODY BLUES: IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CHORD HUGO LARGO: DRUM HUGO LARGO: METTLE BOB MARLEY: KAYA MADREDEUS: ANTOLOGIA ROLLING STONES: LET IS BLEED & BLACK AND BLUE ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: URUBU                                          (with Claus Ogerman)

Here's some fine records to turn you on!

~ SPAIN ~ Dag and I went to Spain recently on tour (he with the Gold Stars, and me with Thievery Corporation), and this time we actually had time off there which is a luxury on tour! And we really fell in love with it.

Frank reports on his visit to Andalucía, Costa del Sol, Spain     I loved the food, the way of eating.... long meals... mostly out doors and varied, Tapas style. I also loved the afternoon siesta nap... (from 2 to 6 pm ish everyday), and the late nights of everyone on the street. And the music.   MUSIC: I was down south in Malaga mostly, with day trips to Grenada & Almería (all in  the province of Andalucia) and you could really hear the north African (Moorish) influence in the traditional music - which is what I was interested in musically. I also heard some great street musicians - especially this guy with an accordion and an elderly female opera singer, singing in Spanish - very sweet. Also a wonderful gypsy Flamenco guitarist.    I Found a store that sold Flamenco clothing for the dancers and musicians,  I wanted a pair of the men's Flamenco high waisted pants. The store was packed with mostly lady dancers, moms (and their daughters who wanted to be flamenco dancers) and a few men trying on clothes. What was beautiful was that the moms were stripping their daughters down to their underwear so they could try on the dresses right there in the store, so all these kids were in their underwear walking around the store trying on dresses - there was none of that American shame or paranoia in either the kids or the moms. Now I'm not a pervert, I like grown women; but to see these people just being people (i.e. natural) in a store made me comfortable and happy.   PICASSO MUSEUM: Picasso was born in Malaga. and there is a wonderful museum there built atop Roman and Phoenician Ruins that you can also visit while there. I especially love Picasso's sculptures, and there a few nice ones there.  Museo Picasso Málaga      FOOD: Everybody eats out a lot of the time in Spain, and grocery stores are a trick to find - because the restaurants are affordable and cultural. Some of my favorite dishes were: Robo de Toro (ox-tails), Gazpacho (I had it everyday), Pimientos de Padrón (fried peppers) and Paella (rice and seafood dish) - All pictured below. A great restaurant to visit in Malaga is Cafe Pimpi - they have an amazing collection of huge vintage bull fighting posters on the walls. If you are an artist or a graphic designer it will especially blow you away.   Funny Story: I was visiting a cathedral in Grenada and couldn't tell if I had to pay or not to enter a certain room, there was a woman by the door who was distracted, and I sort of just walked by her quietly - kinda thinking I needed a ticket, but deciding to chance it anyways, and as soon as I got a few steps past her I heard her say... "e Caballero...?!"  (which means 'hey cowboy' or 'gentleman cavalier') - She was basically saying - "yo, cowboy, what do you think you're  doing? You gotta pay!" - it cracked me up! Lastly: The Moorish Alcazaba (castle) in Malaga is a 'must' visit.   I swam in the sea and it was so salty I floated effortlessly. There is something about being so close to Africa that does something to you... hard to describe.   Also:   We went The Historic Alhambra Castle in Grenada - but could not get in as it was sold out visitor wise, but is the ultimate Morrish castle in Spain - and is worth the effort. The city of Granada was Ultra BEAUTIFUL - and I vow to return. Flamenco is alive there - it's far more Gypsy than Malaga.   I like Spanish people, you can feel their blood in their veins. Their's is in mine now.     F.Q.O 8 / 2008  Flamenco Camaron Turronero Paco Cepero Paco de Lucia   Spanish Gypsy music Safe Journey（1993）（the vagabond journey of Gypsy)   This song shows the pain of the destruction of the gypsy way of life in Spain "Safe Journey"（1993）（the vagabond journey of Gypsy)

Dag reports on his visit to northern Spain Coming soon!

This month's Jello, Hot Wax and Stepping Razors