Tango

Tango instructor Max Gonzalez watched as Peter Russell and his boyfriend crisscrossed their feet while gliding in a circular pattern. The gentle sound of their feet scuffing the wooden dance floor offset the funky new-age tango music playing from the speaker. Two years ago, the couple didn't know how to dance the tango at all. Now, the pair is among Gonzalez's best students. Russell even assists Gonzalez's gay tango class held every Monday at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore in Mount Vernon.

Terri Stafford used to take Lulu, her border collie mix, to medical facilities as part of a Baltimore-based volunteer program that enabled her to share her beloved pet's affection with others in need of it. "We did that for several years until Lulu got too sick" with cancer, said Stafford, a retired registered nurse who lives in Baltimore County. "Toward the end, when Lulu wasn't feeling well, she spent a lot of time hiding in the closet. But I'd say, 'Lulu, let's go visiting.' And she'd come running out and jump in the car. She loved it. "I also used to enjoy the way people would light up when I would bring Lulu to visit them," Stafford said.

Once again, The Sun is lambasting Republicans for using the debt ceiling to attempt to reduce government spending ("Another cliff ahead?" Jan. 4). Yet you yourself suggest what's needed to reduce the deficit: "Stop spending so much money. " Great idea. Now please tell us what proposals have been put forth by President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats to reduce spending and reform entitlement programs? Even The Sun seems to doubt the Democrats' resolve to "face up to the challenges facing popular programs like Medicare and Social Security.

Once again, The Sun is lambasting Republicans for using the debt ceiling to attempt to reduce government spending ("Another cliff ahead?" Jan. 4). Yet you yourself suggest what's needed to reduce the deficit: "Stop spending so much money. " Great idea. Now please tell us what proposals have been put forth by President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats to reduce spending and reform entitlement programs? Even The Sun seems to doubt the Democrats' resolve to "face up to the challenges facing popular programs like Medicare and Social Security.

If the idea of Yasser Arafat as a "peace" laureate makes you queasy, wait till next year: Nobels for Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley?Protestant para-military forces have joined the Irish Republican Army in a cease-fire in Northern Ireland. The tango of death is suspended. Even in Northern Ireland, it takes two to tango. Murder evoked reprisal murder, and now truce begets truce. It took so long because for a quarter-century both tribes thought they could win. Neither was interested in peace when victory seemed possible.

LAUREL -- Sentimental Tango, with jockey Mike Luzzi in the saddle, won a stirring stretch duel from Carnirainbow by a half-length to capture the $40,000 Smart Angle Stakes yesterday at Laurel Race Course.Carnirainbow and Prosperous Lady burst out of the starting gate and set the early pace down the backstretch with Sentimental Tango running easily in third.Luzzi made his move at the top of the lane, caught Carnirainbow late in the stretch and pulled away to cover the six furlongs in one minute, 12 1/5 seconds.

MIAMI BEACH - You'd never know it to look at the work - often quiet, introverted, built on small moments. But Robert Duvall is an actor ruled by his passions. It doesn't reveal itself in every job. He's still a sucker for anything with a horse. He's related to Robert E. Lee, so he ignored doubts he had about playing Lee in the flop Gods and Generals. For every Tender Mercies, combining his love of country music with his favorite screenwriter, Horton Foote, Duvall will have to play a cop (Falling Down)

Buenos Aires. CALL IT the last tango. Although the mutiny was a classic Argentine-style action which few civilians in Buenos Aires took seriously, President Carlos Menem was not amused by the abortive military uprising that shook his country fora day.Rebels in tanks stopped traffic on major streets, shut the domestic airport, seized the army headquarters in the capital and embarrassed the government on the eve of George Bush's visit.''All this is definitely over . . . these ridiculous antics that have harmed the country so much,'' Mr. Menem said.

History might have turned out differently had it not been for the wiles of a Filipino-American dancer.The Allies had planned to land on either Leyte or Formosa (Taiwan), and sentiment was building that the war could be won by bypassing the Philippines, says Alex Fabros, executive director of the Filipino American Experience Research Project at San Francisco State University.United States intelligence had learned of a Japanese officer who loved to tango and who kept the war plans in his office.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA There's something about this place. Maybe it's the tango. Those of you who have witnessed the real thing know tango -- when done right -- is not a dance for sissies. It is aggressive, moody, seductive, sometimes beautiful and maybe a little dangerous. Like Buenos Aires. So ... is it a cliche to compare Buenos Aires to the tango? Maybe, but it was either that or Evita. Which brings me to the subject of steakhouses -- but first, the obligatory travel story transition paragraphs: Cool place to visit, Buenos Aires.

Rock Night was last night, and the leaderboard was shook up. We know Melissa was taken from the hospital and my source for all Hollywood gossip, my dad, reported to me earlier today that he'd heard "concussion. " The clip package from last night shows Melissa wacking her head on Maks's leg before being carried to an ambulance and carted off. Last night, Gavin wore another stupid hat and lots of eyeliner. Melissa wacked her head on Maks's leg as she spun and it appears that may be why he fell on the floor.

1980s fever struck DWTS this week, complete with live performances of "Eternal Flame," "Walk Like an Egyptian" and "Manic Monday" from The Bangles, who also graced the show to promote their NEW album "Sweetheart of the Sun" and tour. Who knew? The theme pretty much ensured this episode would have the worst costumes of the season. And that held true. Neon, crimped hair, side ponytails and lots and lots of eye shadow -- ouch! Consistently nailing it: J.R. Martinez J.R. Martinez danced a fast-paced and technically difficult samba to Gloria Estefan's "Conga.

Just wanted to pass along a heads up about two great deals spotted on Baltimoreonthecheap.com : 1. Save 40 percent off Cirque du Soleil TOTEM tickets , via Travel Zoo, for shows tonight and next week; 2. Sign up for eight Argentine tango lessons at Centerstage and pay only half price --- just $10 per class.

Tango instructor Max Gonzalez watched as Peter Russell and his boyfriend crisscrossed their feet while gliding in a circular pattern. The gentle sound of their feet scuffing the wooden dance floor offset the funky new-age tango music playing from the speaker. Two years ago, the couple didn't know how to dance the tango at all. Now, the pair is among Gonzalez's best students. Russell even assists Gonzalez's gay tango class held every Monday at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore in Mount Vernon.

THURSDAY CRAB SOUP STAKES: Restaurant Week kicks off with a crabby competition at the Harborplace Amphitheater, Light and Pratt streets, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Whether you're a cream-based devotee or prefer tomato-based crab soups, there'll be samples for both camps. Attendees get to vote for their favorites from area restaurants. The event is free. Call 410-332-4191 or go to harborplace.com. WTMD'S FIRST THURSDAYS IN THE PARK: "Listen for the music, look for the monument." In this case, listen for Evan Watson and Ms. Sara and the Help at the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon.

When summer rolls into Baltimore, the musical activity slows down considerably. It can be hard to get a really strong classical music fix come July, so it's not too early to start planning for an alternative beyond the Beltway - a little drive into the Virginia countryside, for example, where you'll find the inaugural Castleton Festival. Eminent conductor Lorin Maazel, who wraps up his tenure as music director of the New York Philharmonic in June, and his wife, Dietlinde Turban-Maazel, are opening up their 550-acre Castleton Farms in the rolling hills of Rappahannock County for this festival, July 3-19.

The art gallery at Columbia's Slayton House will be transformed April 9 into a smoky Argentine cafe and bar complete with live tango music and professional dancers. The reception and performance officially kick off an exhibition of collages by Columbia artist Estela Rotondaro that celebrates the popular Argentine dance. The Embassy of Argentina is sponsoring the show. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Rotondaro began making her colorful collages as a way of celebrating her hometown -- and as a way of indulging her passion for the tango.

Wood floors. Dark-red walls. Sixteen-foot ceilings. Metal pillars. A grand iron staircase. When you walk into Gardel's Argentinian Supper Club you'll want to stand a bit straighter and stare -- mouth open -- at the stunning interior. And most likely, you'll want to dance. Gardel's, which is in the old City Life Museum a few blocks north of Little Italy, does serve a full dinner and has an inviting wooden bar. But it is meant to be a place to strut to Latin tunes on the dance floor. For the not-so-smooth clientele, there are free tango lessons on Sundays at 3 p.m. The grand opening is planned for the end of September, but the club is open now for dinner and dancing.

The owner of Sky Lounge/Tango Tapas will sell his liquor license after reaching an agreement with several Federal Hill residents who say the establishment turns into a rowdy after-hours dance club that disrupts the community. John Hargrave will transfer his license in the next six months in exchange for the residents' withdrawing their protest of the renewal of his liquor license. The agreement was accepted by the city liquor board at a hearing yesterday afternoon. Hargrave will be allowed to operate the restaurant, in the 1000 block of Marshall St., in the interim but will not be allowed to have after-hours parties, disc jockeys or dancing.

To watch two dozen Bhutanese men celebrate Baltimorean Pema Tango's bowmanship yesterday is to understand why the tiny Himalayan kingdom -- where archery is the national sport -- aspires not to wealth but to Gross National Happiness. Ecstatic whoops and hollers rang out as soon as Tango's arrow somehow found the tiny wooden target about 150 yards away. Play was suspended so that the park ranger's teammates could form a circle, singing and dancing in his honor for several minutes. For his part, a beaming Tango couldn't have looked happier if he had won Friday's Mega Millions drawing.