By Thom deMartino It’s not deja vu, as much as a flashback… The Gem Theater’s production of the musical “The Wedding Singer” opens at a 1986 wedding reception, and singer Robbie Hart […]
“Wedding Singer” a fine flashback to ’80s
Watson’s is nostalgia and great food
By Jim and Marilyn Tortolano If you’re looking for the kind of entertaining dining experience that can appeal to just about all ages and conditions, sometimes you’ve got to go back to […]
“Baby Driver” is the summer’s best ride
By Jim Tortolano Americans have a love-love-love relationship with automobiles. We love the freedom they give us. We enjoy the status they can confer. And we thrill at the sight of a […]
Retorts: Time of the rockets’ red scares
Have a heart. The July 4 season is just about on us, and what we see and hear is the proliferation of fireworks, both legal and illegal. For the next week or […]
Dear Mari: Don’t protect graffiti vandals
Dear Marilyn, I recently was a witness to vandalism that was done to public property. Some people that I know spray painted a wall behind a school. I saw the whole thing. […]
Chowlines: Steel-ing the hearts of foodies
By Jim and Marilyn Tortolano To paraphrase the famous reformer and quote-maker Lincoln Steffens, we have seen the future and it not only works, it rocks. No, we’re not talking about the […]
Retorts: Wear your achievements proudly
Note: This is a classic Retorts column from 2011, originally published in the old Garden Grove Journal. History is full of the exploits of great leaders, warriors and scientists. Society rewards them […]
Dear Mari: Just keep your gifts, please
Dear Marilyn, I am working as a classified staff member at a local elementary school. I am very grateful to have the job. I work very closely with the students, and every […]
“Megan Leavey” has heart and bite
By Jim Tortolano In the spirit of full disclosure, let me admit at the outset that I am a sucker for a movie with dogs. If they did a remake of “Casablanca” […]
Retorts: New birth in the old home town
A decade or so ago, the city launched a public relations campaign for the Big Strawberry called “Renaissance Garden Grove.” It was well-intentioned but clunky, and never really got much traction. But […]
