Playing the lottery is a risky business. Sure, blowing a couple bucks on the occasional scratch ticket is essentially harmless. But if you’re not careful, the danger is always there to become addicted, which can lead to a lifetime of near poverty, near toothlessness and an unhealthy amount of time spent in gas stations buying tickets and praying for that elusive big score — which you would then, of course, use to buy more tickets and maybe a Twisted Tea tall boy or three.... Read more

Is it me, or is the holiday season beginning earlier and earlier every year? Actually, allow me to rephrase that. Is it me, or is the season of bitching about how much earlier the holiday season is beginning, coming earlier and earlier every year?... Read more

I write this column on Monday morning. Before I come into the office I try to formulate some idea of how it will flow, over a cup of coffee and a stroll through Battery Park with my half-crazy, half-pit bull, Buckley. And, yes, he’s named after Jeff Buckley. But I didn’t name him.... Read more

You want to feel like a geezer? Consider this: Burlington’s 242 Main turns 25 years old this year. Since the waning days of the Reagan administration, the all-ages club has served not only as the physical cornerstone for the decrepit Memorial Auditorium — 242 is in the basement — but the very foundation of the city’s thriving rock scene. Generations of local musicians trace their roots to the dimly lit proving ground familiarly known as “two-four-two.”... Read more

Bear with me, folks. As I write this, I’m still reeling from a serious Beantown sports hangover, following a monumental playoff collapse by my beloved Boston Red Sox this past Sunday. If I seem incoherent, angry or otherwise disagreeable — more than usual, I mean — blame it on the Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim). Ugh. Still, the show must go on, right? Right.... Read more

Is it me, or does something feel a little different this week? A touch cramped, perhaps? I mean, it sure seems like everything is still here. Brilliantly crafted CD reviews? Check. A nifty mini-feature about an industrious local lad doing cool stuff with one of my all-time favorite bands? Yup, that’s there, too. Painstakingly culled club listings? And how. A positively enthralling column brimming with wit and wisdom? Oh, yeah. But still, something’s not quite the same …... Read more

Man, I love pushing your buttons.... Read more

I know, I know. I’ve been rather overt — and shameless — in the last few weeks plugging the Burlington Bands 101 Showcase slated for Wednesday, September 23, at Nectar’s and Club Metronome featuring seven totally kickass local bands, two killer DJs, one über-talented emcee (not me, the other one), loads of giveaways and, of course, a poutine garden … ahem. What can I say? I’m excited about it and hope you folks are, too — especially the poutine.... Read more

Two weeks ago, I spent the bulk of Labor Day weekend in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. As much as I poke fun at Billyburg, I really do enjoy it. In fact, given a choice, I would spend my occasional NYC visits milling about the streets of the noted hipster haven and avoiding the hustle — and expense — of Manhattan. In terms of people watching, you really can’t beat it.... Read more

Summer is like a rubber band. In the muddy months leading to our shortest season, we pull back on it, steadily increasing the tension as our anticipation of hazy hot-weather folly mounts. Then, just when it seems like we can’t wait any longer, said rubber band is released, and the season speeds past in the blink of an eye. Usually.... Read more