Best Bites: Ben & Bill's Deli

595 Shelburne Road, Burlington 657-3673

When I was a kid, Jewish delis scared me a little. Looking into the case, I was nose-to-nose with the piles of chub and their cured, dead eyes. The old-world smells seemed somehow unclean. This is why they hate us, I thought.

Since Ben & Bill's opened in the Burlington Price Chopper, I have been facing my fears, and then some. Two days after eating a Hot Brisket sandwich ($8.49), I am still swooning. The well-marbled but otherwise lean meat tastes almost creamy, especially in a light bath of Russian dressing. The warm, seeded rye on which the meat lies is baked in-house. It's mild but for the musky crunch of the caraway seeds.

Parini Film Adaptation Makes Those NYC Arthouse Crowds Swoon

Last February I reported that an all-star movie adaptation of Middlebury prof Jay Parini's novel The Last Station was in the works.

The finished film hit big-city theaters on December 4, and it's already been nominated for as many Spirit awards (for indie films) as Precious.

That's a lot of attention for a period piece about old folks, even if the old guy in question happens to be none other than Leo Tolstoy. It certainly helps that the movie features fiery performances from Christopher Plummer as the great writer, Helen Mirren as his wife (who isn't crazy about his new belief in celibacy), and James McAvoy and Paul Giamatti as his disciples, one of whom finds himself tempted by the delights of the flesh.

A Good Excuse to Play Tetris

Reading the Sunday New York Times magazine is one of my favorite things to do over the weekend, but yesterday, I was disappointed to see that it was time again for the "Year in Ideas" issue. I normally don't enjoy this issue. In fact, I don't think I've ever read it cover to cover, as I usually do with the magazine. I'm not sure if that's because I get annoyed at some of the ideas they pick — seriously? the editors at the New York Times think that's a good idea?!? — or if it's because I'm annoyed that they didn't pick any of my ideas.

So I was surprised yesterday when I glanced through the magazine and found a brilliant idea I loved. Apparently, a group of British scientists published a paper last January, about the theraputic affects of playing the video game "Tetris." They found that "Tetris" might help treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), mainly because it keeps the brain from fixating on painful visual memories.

Protesters Denounce Obama's Troop "Surge" in Afghanistan

More than 100 people gathered in front of Burlington's City Hall Saturday to protest President Barack Obama's planned troop "surge" in Afghanistan.

Braving bitter winds and temperatures in the twenties, the protesters listened to a wide range of speakers, from University of Vermont students new to the anti-war movement to some of its stalwart members.

The protest is one of several being held across the nation. Several people were unable to trek to Washington, DC for a rally, so they opted for Burlington. That was the case for Peter Bartlett (pictured left), of St. Albans.

Earlier this month, President Obama announced he was adding 30,000 troops to the war effort in Afghanistan. The United States invaded Afghanistan shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001 in an effort to track down Osama bin Laden and other Al Quaeda leaders.

The Vermont National Guard is part of that surge, and is in the midst of its largest troop deployment since World War II. It will send 1500 soldiers off to prepare for battle in the next several weeks. About 350 soldiers shipped out yesterday.

The protest, which was spearheaded by local activist Jonathan Leavitt, was sponsored by a variety of groups.

"This is the start of rebuilding the anti-war movement in Burlington," Leavitt told the crowd. "Just as Obama is calling for a surge in Afghanistan, we need a surge in the anti-war movement to bring our troops home."

Comcast, RETN Settle Contract Dispute

The Vermont Public Service Board has dismissed a case involving a long-running dispute between Comcast and the Regional Educational Technology Network (RETN) over how public-access money was being spent in Chittenden County.

The case was closed after the PSB accepted a settlement agreement between the two parties. That settlement agreement was filed with the board in late September and finally approved Thursday.

Comcast and RETN issued the following joint statement this afternoon:

“Comcast and RETN have signed a five-year agreement that ensures quality educational access programming and related services will be provided to the towns of Burlington, Charlotte, Essex, Essex Junction, Ferrisburgh, Hinesburg, St. George, Shelburne, South Burlington, Vergennes, Waltham, Williston, and Winooski. As a result, both parties requested that the Vermont Public Service Board dismiss Docket #7497, which it has done.”

In a separate statement, RETN officials said they were glad that the dispute, which began in January, had come to an end.

"We are pleased to have secured full funding for the programming and services we provide our communities and cable subscribers,” said RETN spokesperson Doug Dunbebin. “We now look to our statewide association, the Vermont Access Network, and offer our full support as it works to resolve important issues facing public, educational and government access television in Vermont.”

The Salmon Speech (video edition)

Plenty of folks expressed an interest in my column this week, in particular as it pertains to State Auditor Tom Salmon and his use of a taxpayer-purchased camcorder to record a speech at a political fundraiser in June.

As I detailed in this week's "Fair Game", we at Seven Days decided to request that Salmon's office produce the contents of the camcorder as it is a public record under state law. They did comply, and charged us $105 to produce the three DVDs.

I've embedded the video detailed in the column, a roughly 13-minute speech delivered to a small group of supporters at a June 11 fundraiser. The event was dubbed "Welcome Home, Tom!" and asked folks to donate as little as $25 to be "Friends of Tom" or $500 to be an event sponsor.

A note to viewers/readers: I inadvertently added an extra five minutes of video to the political fundraiser event. The fundraiser speech lasts about 13:10, the rest is a clip from a speech he gave to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

It's helpful to put the timing of this even into context. At the time, Salmon, still a Democrat at the time, was making noise that he wanted to run for governor — in 2012.

As of June, Gov. Jim Douglas was still running for reelection in 2010, and though it would have been a tough bid, it's likely he would have won a fifth term in office. That all changed in August when Douglas decided to not run for reelection. A month later, Salmon jumped stream and joined the Republican Party.

VT National Guard Send-Off in Pictures

Vermont National Guard soldier Matt Doyon (pictured at right, below) packed his Army duffel bag with an Xbox and the video game NHL '10 for his deployment to Afghanistan. Fellow soldier Dan Baillargeon (pictured at left) packed an ultrasound picture of his unborn child, due in seven months.

Both are 23 years old, both are privates first-class in the Guard's 1-172nd Cavalry Squadron. And for both young men, it's their first overseas deployment — a mission they admit to being "a little nervous" about.

Doyon and Baillargeon were among the 350 Vermont National Guard soldiers who shipped off for Afghanistan Friday morning following a send-off ceremony at UVM's Patrick Gymnasium. They first go to Camp Atterbury in Indiana for training, then home for the holidays, then to Afghanistan for a one-year tour of duty.

Siegel's "Big Fan" Deserves a Big Audience

This year's celebrity blog postings offer one resounding conclusion: Sports, alcohol, sex and celebrity-dom do not mesh well. (They make for high ratings, though.)

Today it's Tiger Woods' harrowing sex faux pas (whoops!) that yielded a laundry list of personal apologies and a golf-clubbed SUV. Yesterday, QB Michael Vick was released from an 18-month stint in prison for his involvement in gambling, drug use and the "Bad Newz Kennels," an interstate dog-fighting ring.

Tomorrow, it could easily be a tête-à-tête between best friends A-Rod and Jeter over who's taken fewer steroids. One just can't predict the zany future of sports scandal and violence, on and off the field.

But what happens when this rage spell comes between fan and player? Between loyal subject and emperor? Things get more complicated; inner worlds crumble, the score changes, and lifelong loyalties are threatened. 

Robert Siegel's directorial debut Big Fan (2009) is an excellent playing ground for recreating the behind-the-scenes face-offs in the sports stratosphere. When self-declared "NY Giants' biggest fan" Paul Aufiero (played by chubster comedian Patton Oswalt) is beaten up by his favorite Giants player in a drunken strip-club exchange, Aufiero has his own blue-collar version of an existential crisis. Like Kierkegaard, he chooses to remain loyal to his faith and true colors (red and blue), refusing to press charges against the grizzly Quantrell Bishop (Jonathan Hamm). A blind faith only fans of American football can attest to.

Federal Media Shield Law Goes to Full Senate

The Senate Judiciary Committee announced this afternoon it has reached a compromise on legislation to enact a so-called "shield law" that would prevent journalists from being held in contempt of court, fined or jailed for refusing to reveal confidential sources.

Since April, the law has been shepherded through the committee by its chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

The media shield legislation was introduced by Sens. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in February. These senators, along with Leahy, have been working with the Obama administration to craft legislation that ensures some sources are not protected — such as in cases involving national security. It also does not protect "terrorists" working as journalists. Damn.

The legislation, officially named "The Free Flow of Information Act," was approved by the committee by a bipartisan vote of 14 to 5.

“The Free Flow of Information Act strikes the right balance among the important objectives of protecting our nation, enforcing our criminal laws and ensuring freedom of expression,” said Leahy. “After years of debate and countless cases of reporters being held in contempt, fined and even jailed for honoring their professional commitment not to publicly reveal their sources, the time has come to enact a balanced federal shield law.”

House GOP Leader Announces Senate Bid

The 2010 electoral game of musical chairs continued Thursday with State Rep. Patricia McDonald (R-Berlin) announcing that she is running for a Washington County Senate seat being vacated by fellow Republican Sen. Phil Scott.

Scott announced last week he is running for lieutenant governor to fill the seat being vacated by Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie. Dubie is running for governor. Only one other Republican has officially announced he is running, and that's Mark Snelling, the son of former Gov. Richard Snelling and Lt. Gov. Barbara Snelling.

No Democrats have officially announced they are running for the seat, though several are "thinking" about running, including Sens. Virginia "Ginny" Lyons and Ed Flanagan, Rep. Steve Howard (D-Rutland) and  Rep. David Zuckerman (P-Burlington). 

In a release, McDonald said her campaign will focus on "growing the economy, creating jobs, reducing property taxes, and ensuring fiscal responsibility in Montpelier."

Though she was announcing her bid for Senate, McDonald said she is first focused on the upcoming session in Montpelier.

Death of the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

I am all for the merciless assassination of ridiculous trends. And so is my best friend, our great poet laureate and statesman Jay-Z. In his seminal work of rapsmanship, "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)," he decries the use of the voice modulation software that is destroying hip-hop. Preach on, Hova:

"I know we facing a recession/ But the music y'all making going to make it the Great Depression" 

Can I get an Amen up in here?:

"You niggas singing too much/ Get back to rap, you T-Paining to much"

But what does this have to do with ugly Christmas sweater parties? you might be wondering. Or not. Anyway, both are trends that have been played out to within an inch of their existence. And like my pal Jigga says, "Put your skirt back down, grow a set, man." Which I think means ugly Christmas sweater parties need to go.

I don't want to sound like a younger, better-looking Ebeneezer Scrooge, but I just can't deal with the cheesy holiday sweater trend anymore. It was funny the first time some guy raided his grandmother's closet and stole one of her reindeer-and-snowflake-bedecked sweaters to wear to a party. I'm sure his friends got a good laugh and he clearly earned some irony points for the evening. I respect that.

But now, ugly holiday sweater parties are as ubiquitous as white people quoting rap songs. But not nearly as funny.

Best Bites: Wings Over Burlington

150 Dorset Street, South Burlington 863-9464

Sometimes I'm craving fried chicken. Other times it's ribs. More often than not, it's both. That's when I head to Wings Over Burlington.

It's not just the fact that I can get a half rack of ribs, half a pound of chicken tenders and fries for $14.99. It's that this meal for two showcases the most tender ribs, juiciest chicken and tastiest sauces around. I always get my ribs slathered in Golden Barbecue sauce, a combination of mustard and tangy barbecue that will have you licking your fingers long after the actual sauce remnants are gone. The dark pork falls from the bone so gently. You might want to use a fork, but you'd be missing the visceral Lord of the Flies beauty of the experience.

The chicken tenders, actually called boneless wings, are rotund, moist chunks. Yes, they stay crispy even when bathed in one of Wings Over Burlington's many exquisite sauces. If you're still worried, get a dry rub, like Garlic Parmesan, which reminds me pleasantly of popcorn. The Honey Mustard sauce is viscous, bright yellow, but buttery and surprisingly subtle. My favorite, though, is Spicy Teriyaki. The sweet, vinegary sauce has just enough spice to produce a comforting burn on the lips.

Immediately after finishing this satisfying showcase of foods that disturbs my doctor, I'm craving more. Smelling Spicy Teriyaki wafting from my trash the next day almost drove me insane. Luckily, they deliver.

Gay Marriage Radio Documentary Tonight on VPR

Ten years ago this month, the Vermont Supreme Court issued the landmark Baker v. State of Vermont ruling that paved the way for civil unions, and later, for same-sex marriage, which we legalized here in Vermont earlier this year.

I felt like I needed to point that out, in case you missed it somehow.

Now Vermont Public Radio has produced an hour-long radio documentary called "States of Marriage: The Debate Over Gay Rights." It airs for the first time tonight at 7 p.m. and will be rebroadcast on Saturday at 4 p.m.

If you're one of those people who wonders, "What's next for gay marriage?" Or, "What all of those irate activists are up to now?" you might want to listen in. You can also become a fan of the documentary on Facebook — even if you haven't heard it yet...

You might also want to check out the essay I wrote for this week's paper, about adopting my kids. It's called "Family Ties: Why one nonbiological parent wants to give up adoption." It'll hit newsstands tomorrow, but I'm posting it here for you, lucky blog readers, to give you a sneak peek. It's ostensibly about adoption, but it's really about the rights and privileges of marriage. The timing of it had absolutely nothing to do with the whole 10-years-since-Baker thing. It came about because I adopted my kids in October, and felt compelled to write about it

I know social conservatives typically oppose gay marriage, but really, this whole fight has given marriage a lot of good PR in the last 10 years. Marriage seemed so much less cool a decade ago, didn't it? Now everybody wants in. What's so bad about that?

"You Don't Deserve to Call Yourselves Americans" — and Other Fallout from the 7D Norwich Survey

"People are going to think that this school is producing torture machines."

"Your article is biased with the purpose of making the population view this university as a place of training ill-minding people."

"Enjoy your holidays with your family and your nice lil paycheck...the real warriors will be just fine viewing your ignorance and insults from half way across the world. ...You don't deserve to call yourselves Americans, and I hope, truly, to meet you face to face one day."

"You're welcome for your freedom of speech and press."

That's just a sampling of the [critical] feedback we're getting on what turned out to be a provocative feature story in the current Seven Days, about the views of some Norwich University cadets on national security issues and life during war time. There will be more in this week's issue, on the "letters to the editor" pages.

Click here to read the story, and click here to read the full survey results on Survey Monkey — including the commentary left by cadets at the end of each question.

Conservative St. Mike's Students Screen Documentary Critical of "Global Warming Hysteria"

Last night, a conservative student group at St. Michael's College screened a film called "Not Evil Just Wrong," which promises to deliver information about "the true cost of global warming hysteria." The screening took place as global leaders are gathered in Copenhagen for worldwide United Nations climate talks.

Seven Days' correspondent Kevin J. Kelley attended the screening at St. Mike's, and send this report. Kevin is an adjunct professor in the St. Mike's journalism department.

From Kevin:

Climate-change deniers and Obama birthers clearly have much in common politically, but on the evidence of a film shown Monday night at St. Michael's College, the "we're-cool-with-the-climate" crowd may be less wacky – and thus more influential.

Displaying a talent for timely scheduling, the St. Mike's Conservatives Club sponsored the showing of “Not Evil Just Wrong” to coincide with the opening session of the United Nations' climate conference in Copenhagen.

Snickers were heard only a couple of times as a full house of 80 students watched the new 90-minute documentary attacking Al Gore and other advocates of steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

"There's a lot of one-sidedness on this issue on campus,” Dan Bower, a Conservatives Club member from Virginia, complained after the showing. But St. Mike's students are “for the most part respectful," Bower said, noting the absence of heckling on the part of filmgoers.

Some signs advertising the film had, however, been ripped off walls in academic buildings, he added.

John Waters on Tiny Tim, 'A Christmas Story' and being a Never-Nude

I was able to speak to John Waters for half an hour when I interviewed him a couple of weeks ago for this week's feature. Editing it down was so hard that I feel compelled to share with other fans what didn't make it into the paper — cock rings and all. Please enjoy, and I'll see you at A John Waters Christmas on December 10 at the Flynn.

What do you know about Vermont? Well, it sounds like my kind of town. You always hear about it. You know, it's one of these places where you feel like if you're on the run from the cops, somebody would protect you there. If you were left wing or it was the old days when the Weathermen were ... If I was running from being tear-gassed ... Remember, people used to put signs on the door saying Angela Davis would be welcome here? It's the kind of place that if I was in trouble, that people there would hide me out, so I have a very good feeling about it. And I'll try not to do anything illegal while I'm there, which is a short time. So for 24 hours, I plan to commit no crimes except verbal Christmas crimes.

Illustration by Kym Balthazar

Salmon Pleads Guilty to DUI

State Auditor Tom Salmon today pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence, stemming from a traffic stop November 13.

In all, the proceedings took less than five minutes, and Salmon made only two brief statements to the court. He answered no questions from the media upon leaving the courtroom and paying his $500 fine and $376 in court charges.

Salmon appeared in court with his attorney and his wife.

When asked by Judge Brian Grearson if he wanted to make a statement, Salmon said he did.

"Yes your honor, I want to say simply that I understand I made a mistake and I'm here today to deal with it and move forward," Salmon told the court.

That was a similar message that Salmon told the media at a wide-ranging press conference on November 20. At that point, he said he planned to plead guilty and would not contest the charges. He also responded to a "Fair Game" column that detailed some of Salmon's past financial difficulties.

Sanders Puts Hold on Bernanke Nomination

Vermont's Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders today placed a hold on the nomination of Ben Bernanke for a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

“The American people overwhelmingly voted last year for a change in our national priorities to put the interests of ordinary people ahead of the greed of Wall Street and the wealthy few,” Sanders said in a statement. “What the American people did not bargain for was another four years for one of the key architects of the Bush economy.”

A "hold" is placed when the senator notifies the Senate leaders' office that he, or she, intends to object to a request for unanimous consent from the Senate to consider or pass a measure. With such an objection, it makes it more difficult to get Bernanke's nomination to the floor for a vote, and could mean they would need to find 60 votes to support his nomination.

Bernanke was first appointed by Pres. George W. Bush, and his term expires at the end of January. President Barack Obama nominated him for a second term in September. Bernanke is scheduled to be on Capitol Hill Thursday to face questions from the Senate Banking Committee.

In announcing his hold, Sanders criticized Bernanke for approving decisions as the head of the central bank that he believes led to the current recession.

Vermont Delegation Reacts to Troop Surge in Afghanistan

Shortly after President Barack Obama officially announced his plan to add 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan, Vermont's three-member Washington delegation weighed in.

The trio mostly expressed concern about spending billions of dollars to fight a war in Afghanistan without much, if any, support from other nations while there is a recession here at home. They also fretted about being stuck in a quagmire. None called for an immediate withdrawal of troops.

“For me it boils down to whether or not there is a convincing answer to this question: What can realistically be achieved, and is it worth putting our soldiers’ lives on the line, at a million dollars a troop, as our economy continues to struggle here at home?" queried Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT). "At this point I am not convinced that the hole dug earlier by a thousand bad decisions can be paved over at all.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said he had "serious concerns" about the proposal, including cost, not having the support of other nations, and working with a corrupt partner in the Afghanistan government.

“I agree with President Obama that it would be a setback for democracy and stability if the Taliban regained power," said Sanders. “My nightmare is that we may get caught in a quagmire situation from which there will be no successful exit.”

Similarly, Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) said he agreed with Pres. Obama's analysis of the situation, but added that the president had "reached the wrong conclusion." He also said the plan is not financially sustainable.

“The cost of supporting one soldier for one year is $1 million – or $30 billion per year for the 30,000 new troops recommended tonight by the president," said Welch. "Our nation is crippled by record deficits and skyrocketing unemployment. We need to spend our scarce resources rebuilding America, not nation-building abroad.”

Posted below are the official responses from each member of the delegation, but first are selected excerpts from the president's speech provided by the White House.

What's your take on Obama's plan for Afghanistan? Is it time, as Sen. George Aiken (D-VT) once famously told Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson in regard to Vietnam, to "declare victory and get out"? Or do you support Pres. Obama's troop surge plan?

Progressive to Step Down from Burlington City Council

Progressive Emma Mulvaney-Stanak (Ward 2) will step down from her seat on the 14-member Burlington City Council on December 15, the first-term councilor announced late today.

Mulvaney-Stanak, who has been renting in Ward 2, recently purchased a home in Ward 3. She'll occupy the home as of December 15, and according to the city charter will need to resign immediately.

She was elected to the two-year post in March, besting Democrat Nicole Pelletier by a 447-173 margin.  Her seat was previously held by longtime Progressive councilor Jane Knodell.

"The charter is really clear about residency requirements, as soon as you move you're no longer on the council.There's no grace period, and no clause to even stay on to fill out your term," said Mulvaney-Stanak.