Tastings Around Town

Tax time doesn't have to be taxing, thanks to specials planned atChicago restaurants and lounges:

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

41 E. Chestnut

The restaurant presents a Tax Relief gala on Monday (because April15 falls on a Saturday this year, tax returns are due on the 17th).

The celebration includes Ketel One martinis for $10.40 and chairmassages for $1 a minute from 3 to 7 p.m. All guests who visit therestaurant Monday will receive a Tax Relief Dining Certificate" goodfor $10.40 off their next dinner. Also offered will be $10.40 dinnerspecials and cocktail specials.

For reservations or more information, call (312) 397-9500. …

It's about time [Percussion instruments] [Part 2]

Part 2

Greetings all you timekeepers. Now that you had two months to get acquainted with your metronome, you may be a little frustrated at first. Let's go further with ways of practicing with it

Counting Is A Must

Throughout my years of teaching I have heard so many students say they can't count and play their drum part at the same time. We'll that would be a challenge like somebody playing piano then learning to sing at the same time. It all takes practice and patients. If I am playing a piece that is only consisting of quarter and eighth notes I would be counting "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" representing the eighth notes. If the piece has sixteenth notes, I …

Egypt privatization bid draws mixed reviews

A revamped plan that would give lower-income Egyptians a chance at owning stocks was met Tuesday with a measure of skepticism by some commentators who view it as a back-channel attempt by the government to muster support for an unpopular privatization program.

The new program, outlined by the ruling National Democratic Party, would give some 40 million Egyptians over the age of 21 coupons to be exchanged for shares in state-owned enterprises slated for privatization. Officials said the program was aimed at achieving greater social and economic equality.

But in a country where previous privatization bids have been marred by claims of corruption and nepotism …

Just as in physics, there is a cause and effect in history

One of the most fascinating habits of the human race is the way weinterpret "history" to fit in with our preconceptions. It is theeasiest thing in the world to do, and one of the most deceptive.

A classic instance of this distortion is our popular view ofpresent-day Iran. Most Americans will tell you solemnly that theregime of the shah was far preferable to the brutal and regressiverule of the mullahs.

What is ignored in this estimate is precisely the fact that itwas the corruption and injustice of the shah's administration thatmade the revolution at first possible, and then inevitable.

In the same way, we believe that the czarist government inRussia was …

Iraqi FM Warns Against U.S. Withdrawal

BAGHDAD - Iraq's foreign minister warned on Monday that a quick American military withdrawal from the country could lead to a full-scale civil war, the collapse of the government and spillover conflicts across the region.

The White House said President Bush is not contemplating withdrawing forces from Iraq now despite an erosion of support among Republicans for his war policy.

But the administration also tried to lower expectations about a report due Sunday on whether the Iraqi government is meeting political, economic and security benchmarks that Bush set in January when he announced a buildup of 21,500 U.S. combat forces.

Attacks in Baghdad killed 13 people as …

Marine told fellow Marines to stop alleged hazing

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (AP) — A Hawaii-based Marine says he told a fellow platoon member to "chill out" after he slapped another Marine as punishment for falling asleep while on watch duty in Afghanistan.

The Marine who was slapped, Lance Cpl. Harry Lew, committed suicide hours later.

Lance Cpl. Michael Morris spoke at a military hearing held Thursday to determine if there is enough evidence …

Eurozone economy grew 0.2 percent in Q3 as France, Germany hold up despite debt woes elsewhere

BRUSSELS (AP) — Eurozone economy grew 0.2 percent in Q3 …