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Rashi rules

Turns out it's the 900th anniversary of one the greatest medieval Talmudic scholars, Rabbi Shlomo Itzachaki (b 1040, d 1105), known as Rashi.

Because he lived in France, La Poste, the French post office, is issuing a commemorative Rashi stamp, and at least four seminars and and symposia are scheduled this month and next at Rashi institutes in Troyes and in Paris.

Maison de la France, the French Government Tourist Office, alert to opportunities that might attract Jewish visitors, sent a delegation to Chicago to publicize the upcoming events and a special promotion in Troyes, the city in the Champagne region where Rashi lived: a two-night package called In The Footsteps of Rashi.

Writer and historian Tony Kamins, commissioned by Maison de la France to write a Rashi supplement to its FranceGuide for the Jewish Traveler, gave talks this week to groups in New York and Chicago.

Take me out ...

... to the ballgame! Australian visitor Jon McPherson, visiting his auntie Glenda, attends his first American baseball game: Mariners v Angels.

Game's a bust, Ichiro's worst night in memory [and only a day after his Amazing Catch], but Jon does get to "Meet the Man" at Porter-Dixie's BBQ. "Holy shit, mate, that stuff'll frickin' kill ya."

Jon did use a toothpick to daub The Man on his shredded beef sandwich. But then he [gulp] licked his fingers ...

Gluttony

Good piece in today's New York Times by Seattle's own Tim Egan on the distorted reaction to last month's "obesity report" ... namely, the notion that it's actually healthy to be a little overweight.

It's no surprise that the food industry wants to keep you stuffed, but moving the goalposts isn't how you win the game, folks. You don't like numbers? C'mon, the scale doesn't lie. Take responsibility for what you eat, for crying out loud.

Shake it up, baby!

At last, a promotion with potential. The Great Seattle Shakeup, sponsored by Seattle Weekly, features 23 lounges around town. The deal is this: from 7 to 10 PM, Sunday through Thursday for the first three weeks of May, two "specialty cocktails" and one appetizer cost just $15.

So come Sunday at 7, I ditch Goldie Hawn on 60 Minutes and head for the corner barstool at Il Bistro, the Market hideaway from which I've been absent too long.

Two fine cocktails: first, a luscious sparkling "Lascivo" made with Zardetto prosecco, Dubonnet and bitters. It's not unlike the prosecco bitter served all over Venice. The in-joke is that lascivo is Italian for "lascivious" or "randy" and Randy Brown is Il Bistro's silver-haired maitre d'.

Then it's on to the "Calvino," a long drink made with vodka, Campari and grapefruit juice. Named for the Italian novelist Italo Calvino, and refreshing as can be.

Also ordered a substantial appetizer: the flavorful bruschetta trio. Three thick slices of Tuscan bread topped with a mushroom-olive medley, a tomato-basil mixture, and goat cheese blended with artichoke hearts.

Gee, 23 places and only 15 evenings. Might not make it ...

Drinks by Dominic

Everyone in Seattle knows Dominic, the guy whose talents as a field marshall have transformed Hempfest from a fringe event for hippies into a music-and-politics weekend that's the single most popular festival in town. His abilities as a political activist, running the successful Initiative 75 campaign, have earned him national recognition, including a spot on the board of directors of NORML.

Now here's something new from this laid-back advocate for legalized marijuana: great cocktail recipes! Try these ...

Boy Georgia: Stoli Peach Stoli Vanil On the rocks, in a pint glass with lemonade, orange juice and 7-Up

Copa Banana: Stoli Citros Malibu Coconut Rum Banana Liqueur On the rocks with lemonade

Oh My Godiva: Bacardi "O" Godiva Chocolate liqueur Shaken and served up