Rat attack: Paris declares war on city’s exploding rodent population

Already faced with continued fears of terror attacks and record-high pollution levels, Paris is in the midst of yet another battle to reassure tourists of its attractiveness ahead of the holidays: the city’s new war on rats.

Since the end of November, the City of Light has suffered a rat invasion so immense it has had to temporarily shut down at least nine central parks and gardens to tackle the problem. According to French daily Le Parisien, the French capital now houses nearly 4 million rodents, or 1.75 rats per Parisian.

Many of the parks and gardens are currently riddled with holes due to the rodent infestation, and rats are frequently seen raiding the city’s open-ribbed rubbish bins.
Already faced with continued fears of terror attacks and record-high pollution levels, Paris is in the midst of yet another battle to reassure tourists of its attractiveness ahead of the holidays: the city’s new war on rats.

Read Full Story at France 24: Rat attack: Paris declares war on city’s exploding rodent population – France 24

Just say no to Beaujolais Nouveau

Adam Teeter / Vinepair.com
Every year, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, one of the strongest wine-marketing behemoths takes over: Beaujolais Nouveau season. Wine shops are overtaken with Beaujolais Nouveau displays, restaurants start pouring Beaujolais Nouveau, and people start buying the wine like crazy.

All the hype would lead one, especially a novice, to believe that Beaujolais Nouveau must be worthy of all this attention, and the price tag that goes along with it, but guess what? Beaujolais Nouveau actually isn’t very good.

The annual “night before” party at La Robe et Le Palais on November 18, 2015. “Throw a stone and you’d hit one the pirates of the wine community.” Photo and quote by Michaël Dandrieux

Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine that has literally been bottled only six to eight weeks after the Gamay grapes that were used to make it have been picked. This gives no time for the wine to mature, no time for delicious flavors to develop, nothing. What you have is just thin, alcoholic grape juice. In fact, the wine is so Continue reading “Just say no to Beaujolais Nouveau” →

Caps anthem singer Bob McDonald sang ‘O Canada’ in French and it’s stunning

Before most Caps home games, Sergeant Major Bob McDonald delivers a stirring, up-tempo rendition of the national anthem. With Montreal in town Saturday, McDonald also had to perform O Canada. He did it in French.

Perfectly.

“I used to do it whenever Montreal came to town, way back in the day,” McDonald said to me after the game. “Then I was asked to do it just in English and it stayed that way until tonight. I had asked Continue reading “Caps anthem singer Bob McDonald sang ‘O Canada’ in French and it’s stunning” →

Chanson Du Jour (for Zsa Zsa): Moulin Rouge

Rest In Peace, Zsa Zsa Gabor, who passed away today at age 99. Here’s a song from a film you starred in – John Huston’s “Moulin Rouge.” The song is not quite as catchy as your sister’s themesong from Green Acres, but considerably more highbrow.

You had more marriages than sister Eva (nine to Eva’s five). If there is a Heaven, I hope They allow you eleven.

Travel with Rick Steves: Best Chocolates in Europe & Holiday Travels

Rick Steves’ 12/17/2016 radio show left me in desperate need of a chocolate fix. Our upcoming summer trip to Brussels cannot come soon enough!

“Writers Jane and Michael Stern discuss wintertime comfort food served in America’s roadside restaurants, then food and culture expert Fred Plotkin explores the various kinds of chocolate available across Europe. And listeners share the experiences that made their Christmas vacations in Europe really special — plus we’ll hear how locals get into the Christmas spirit in Prague.”