Baseball

“I wrote 63 songs this year. They’re all about Jeter.” Just kidding. The game we love, the players we hate, and more.

Culture and Criticism

From Norman Mailer to Wendy Pepper — everything on film, TV, books, music, and snacks (shut up, raisins), plus the Girls’ Bike Club.

Donors Choose and Contests

Helping public schools, winning prizes, sending a crazy lady in a tomato costume out in public.

Stories, True and Otherwise

Monologues, travelogues, fiction, and fart humor. And hens. Don’t forget the hens.

The Vine

The Tomato Nation advice column addresses your questions on etiquette, grammar, romance, and pet misbehavior. Ask The Readers about books or fashion today!

Support Local Biz: July 12, 2011
July 12, 2011 · 5 Comments
Support Local Biz: July 12, 2011

Just a reminder that you can read about icky food on my Tumblr, Revolting Snacks of North America. Pictured above is today’s specimen, the Utz Cheeze Ball.
And on another note entirely, from reader Kristen F. …

The Vine: July 8, 2011
July 8, 2011 · 21 Comments
The Vine: July 8, 2011

So the good news first: the boyfriend and I are moving in together! YAY! Now, the bad news: he has a dog, I have a cat.
This is not that bad of news, as my cat …

Greenberg: Pain, no gain
July 7, 2011 · 8 Comments
<I>Greenberg</I>: Pain, no gain

A shrink told me once that I have trouble living in the present, so I live in the past, because I never really lived it in the first place — you know?
I love that line, …

The Vine: July 6, 2011
July 6, 2011 · 38 Comments
The Vine: July 6, 2011

Long-time reader, first-time et cetera.
A couple of weeks ago, the husband of a woman that I know tangentially just didn’t come home. After leaving her freaking out for a few days and calling the police, …

The NC Double Shot: Last Call
July 6, 2011 · 14 Comments
The NC Double Shot: Last Call

Updated bracket is here. Confused? Click here. And now, our finale: 1 Gin and Tonic vs. 10 Margarita.
Bunting: The final NC Double Shot matchup is an interesting contrast: a drink I associate with summer, with …

21 Jump Street: “Low and Away”
July 2, 2011 · 13 Comments
<I>21 Jump Street</I>: “Low and Away”

“Shut Up, Hanson” count: 7
 
Generic high-school name du jour: Lincoln
The Plaintive Piano of Our National Pastime As Symbol of Sundered Innocence plinks as high-school pitcher Johnny Hartmann (Patrick Breen, a Hey, It’s That Guy! who …

The Vine: July 1, 2011
July 1, 2011 · 23 Comments
The Vine: July 1, 2011

I found this book at my school’s book fair sometime in the mid-nineties, and I don’t think it was too old. It was probably for the preteen/teen set. I feel like the word “house” is …

The Crushed Film Festival presents: Mystery, Alaska
June 29, 2011 · 13 Comments
The Crushed Film Festival presents: <I>Mystery, Alaska</I>

The Movie: Mystery, Alaska
The Crush Object: Ron Eldard
The Story: Co-written by David E. Kelley and directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Parents), Mystery, Alaska opens on the town awaiting the arrival of a Sports Illustrated …

The Vine: June 29, 2011
June 29, 2011 · 33 Comments
The Vine: June 29, 2011

I have a problem regarding a friend’s wedding. Friend, whom I’ll call “Barbara,” is getting married in a month and I have to decide if I’m going.
Barbara is a co-worker of mine and decided …

TN Read-Along #10: Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops Live Chat
June 29, 2011 · 2 Comments
TN Read-Along #10: <I>Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops</I> Live Chat

Our author chat starts at 8:30 PM ET tonight (that’s Wednesday 29 June) with Gael Fashingbauer Cooper and Brian Bellmont. Just scroll down and click the link to get started.