Local film critics Linda DeLibero and Christopher Llewellyn Reed join columnist Dan Rodricks to review the year's best movies. (PHOTO CREDIT: Lacey Terrell/TriStar Pictures).

Roughly Speaking

Closing out 2019 at the movies

Thirty years is a long, good run for any restaurant, and so attention must be paid: Saturday, Oct. 12 marks three full decades for Nancy Longo’s Pierpoint in Fells Point. It was early 1989 when Longo bought the Emma Giles Tavern, a rowhouse-barroom at 1822 Aliceanna Street, with an ambition to turn it into a restaurant serving “Maryland cuisine with a contemporary style.” As her 30th anniversary approached, Sun columnist Dan Rodricks paid a visit for the Roughly Speaking podcast and recorded a conversation with Longo in the Pierpoint kitchen.In this episode: Secrets of a great crab cake. Plus, something new: The Crab Corn Coddie, a mashup of a classic crab cake and the Baltimore coddie, with some sweet corn added for crunch. It was Dan’s idea, developed at home, and he asked Longo to bring her expertise to the evolving recipe. The chef was game to give it a try. In fact, Longo liked the concept so much she plans to put the Crab Corn Coddie on Pierpoint’s menu as a special on Wednesday evening, Oct. 23.

A new take on the crab cake?

The Orioles have encouraged fans to have patience through he next few years of Baltimore baseball until the rebuild process shows results.

The Orioles' rebuild and the long road ahead

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has voiced opposition to the ambitious Kirwan Commission proposals calling them “half baked” and “fiscally irresponsible.” With recommendations for how to pay for the plans slated to go public this month, lawmakers expect a clash between Hogan and his allies and supporters of education reform.

The Kirwan Commission and the fight over public school reform

In Carroll County, Maryland, a years-old lawsuit that sought to bar the county’s commissioners from leading prayers at their meetings came to a dramatic close this month. But residents might not be content to let the fight end.

In Carroll County, an emotional church-state issue divides residents

After a summer-long work stoppage and public back-and-forths with management, the BSO’s future appears more uncertain than ever.

Saving the symphonies: The BSO's familiar plight

Nearly two decades after his retirement from the Orioles, Cal Ripken Jr. remains an icon sports world, especially in the Baltimore area. But as it turns out, Ripken’s legacy has inspired more than just baseball fans.

Cal Ripken's other streak: Being mentioned in dozens of rap songs

Education advocates say that the difference between Baltimore County and Baltimore City test scores shouldn’t surprise anyone.

In Baltimore schools, disparities in and out of the classroom affect performance

Baltimore Orioles star Cal Ripken has been honored in several rap songs.

Cal Ripken references in rap lyrics

On Baltimore streets for over a year, dockless scooters are no longer a novelty. And, with the city recently awarding permanent licenses to four vendors, they, along with dockless bikes now coming online, will be part of its transportation mix for the foreseeable future. So far, things have gone smoother than with their Baltimore Bike Share predecessor, but equity and safety issues raised during the pilot program remain. In this episode, Baltimore Sun interns Oyin Adedoyin and Christine Condon share what residents and doctors are saying about the vehicles and explain why Baltimore may be especially well suited for the dockless networks. They’re joined by Sun transportation reporter Colin Campbell.

A year after scooters first hit Baltimore's streets, safety and equity concerns persist

Did the University of Maryland unnecessarily roll the dice by hiring Mike Locksley in the wake of a nationally-reaching scandal that involved the death of 19-year-old offensive lineman Jordan McNair and allegations of a “toxic” football culture fueled by the coaching staff and administration, or has the Washington, D.C. native demonstrated enough growth and potential to lead a Big Ten football team to a brighter future?

For Maryland football and new coach Mike Locksley, low on-field expectations belie high stakes after scandal

While Maryland gun rights advocates argue that the state’s attempts at curbing shootings have backfired, gun control supporters counter that the state hasn’t done nearly enough to save lives.

The two sides of the Maryland gun debate

What role has the federal government played in Baltimore over the years, and what can it do now to move the city forward?

After Trump tweets, examining what the federal government has done for Baltimore

Editorial writer Peter Jensen reads The Sun's July 27 editorial, ----Better to have a few rats than to be one.----

Baltimore Sun Editorial Board: Better to have a few rats than to be one

An all-Asian American and Pacific Islander comedy troupe in Baltimore seeks to rewrite the script, carving out their own place on stage to promote visibility in a space where it’s traditionally been lacking.

How an all-Asian American and Pacific Islander improv troupe in Baltimore is sketching their own narrative

A conversational take on Maryland news and culture from The Baltimore Sun newsroom.

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