Two Mexican detectives were investigating the murder of Juan Gonzales. "How was he killed?" asked one detective.

During, my recent stay at Iberostar Grand Paraiso in Riviera Maya, Mexico, I realized that I had the use of five resorts, and all their amenities, for the price of one. What an incredible bargain that turned out to be! The whole complex was like a village, with five “neighborhood” resorts clustered along the beach. Besides their own amenities, together they shared a shopping center featuring a huge spa, a 2-story professional gym building, 18 hole golf course, theater, convention center, tennis courts, and, most importantly, the economy of size.

In 1830, President Andrew Jackson pushed a new piece of legislation through Congress called the "Indian Removal Act." American-Indian tribes* were to give up their lands east of the Mississippi in exchange for lands to the west in Oklahoma. Jackson said that this was for the various tribes’ protection, but there was an ulterior motive...

Even if, like me, you’re NOT a tennis buff, a tour around this internationally famous series of buildings and grass tennis courts, is intriguing. Just take the grass, as an example. I mean c’mon on now, how boring is thinking about Wimbledon’s grass! And yet it is a critical part of how balls bounce, where they go, and how they are “played” by tennis super stars.

There are opening nights, and then there are Opening Nights! There are musical reviews, and then there are Musical Reviews! There are outstanding talented ensembles, and then there are Outstanding Talented Ensembles! There are enthusiastic audiences, and then there are Enthusiastic Audiences! There are long, standing ovations, and then there are Long, Standing Ovations!

Attending the National Press Club for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s impassioned speech on corruption, my mind drifted to an intoxicated phone call I made to Chris Mathews. It was during the Mondale/Reagan campaign, when Mathews was chief of staff to House Speaker Tip “All politics is local” O’Neil. Mathews was phenomenally gracious, given that he didn’t know me from Adam, I woke him at midnight and my tequila-fueled exasperation fell short of diplomatic grace.

We have all heard older folks tell what life was like back then, you know, the “good ole days.” I am at the age now that our grandchildren ask if I had ketchup when I was a kid. What we know about foods and medicines and treatments has certainly changed with each generation. I can think of two things today that I am especially thankful for. The first is that I now eat sautéed onions and garlic instead of wearing them around my neck.

The coach had put together the perfect team for the Chicago Bears. The only thing that was missing was a good quarterback. He had scouted all the colleges and even the Canadian and European Leagues, but he couldn't find a ringer who could ensure a Super Bowl win.

This installment of Three Things About Bordeaux is courtesy of Richard Carroll; writer & author at Traveling Boy. 1. Question: What are some of the “things” or activities that the people of Bordeaux do for fun? Answer: The Bordelaise, active and vibrant, enjoy wine tasting in one of the world’s great wine growing regions such as Saint Emilion or Pomerol. Dining at sidewalk tables …

Standing on the ship’s deck felt like being on the stage of an ancient amphitheater, rugged stone walls ringing hillsides rising steeply around me. But these walls didn’t hold seating for toga-clad spectators awaiting some amusement. They lined row after row of grape vines, terraces tumbling down the banks of the Douro River flowing across northern Portugal.