Good Night, Professor Parker

Robert B. Parker -- the novelist who created Spenser, Jesse Stone, and Sunny Randall -- has died. He was 77.

I cannot even begin to express how much his books have meant to me. The Spenser novels gave me hope, direction, and even creative inspiration when I needed them as a teenager who lacked a real role model.

His characters and themes taught me about honor, truth, courage, commitment, friendship, and loyalty -- and how these values are central to being a man.

Most recently, his western "Appaloosa" was adapted into a wonderful movie directed by Ed Harris. And his character Jesse Stone has come to life on TV in a series of films starring Tom Selleck.

Parker changed the world of crime fiction in the 1970s when he published "The Godwulf Manuscript" (the first Spenser novel) in 1973. It was the Northeastern University professor's debut novel. He was 41 when the book came out, which should inspire every unpublished writer to not give up hope.

If there is a heaven, I hope Parker is there enjoying beer and whiskey with the late Robert Urich, who played Spenser in the TV series "Spenser: For Hire." (Even though Parker famously said that he didn't like the show.)

Good night, Professor Parker. I will miss you, your words, your characters.

Three-Bean and Roasted Red Pepper Salad

1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup roasted red peppers (from a jar)
2 Tbsp crushed almonds
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
Cumin, to taste
Paprika, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Lemon juice, dash

Makes 6 cups

WW POINTS value: 5(ish) per 1-cup serving

Jeter's Grace

He did it.

Derek Jeter broke Lou Gehrig's record of most hits by a New York Yankee with a single in the 3rd inning of Friday's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

It's been so great to watch at least two future Hall of Famers -- Derek Jeter and Mariano -- come up and develop right from the start.

As a kid, I do remember watching Reggie Jackson and Dave Winfield, both now Hall of Famers, play for the Yankees.

But both of them came up with other teams and were already stars when they joined the Yankees, and both ended their careers elsewhere. Plus in 1985, when I was 12, my family moved to Italy and I completely fell out of touch with baseball.

Now, it is true that Jeter and Mo might end their careers in a different uniform, but being able to watch them mature and lead the Yankees for all these seasons, including through four World Series titles, have been a real joy.

My Head Is Spinning...

Well, this was some week for news -- from the monumental (Iran elections and protests) to the silly (another affair on Capitol Hill -- that never happens!).

Check out these highlights...

Folks walking through SoHo either hated or loved a new Calvin Klein billboard, showing a topless girl kissing a guy as she lies on top of another guy. Below them on the floor is another guy who is lying with his pants and shirt unbuttoned. For shame! Well, you can weigh in here.

Check out the Nonsense in Albany, as I like to call it. The GOP staged a leadership takeover with the help of two "renegade" Democrats (puh-leeze), but the result was the Dems walked out and nothing has happened in the state Senate since.

Pedro Espada, one of the turncoat Dems, says his fellow party members need to step up, accept the change in leadership and get to work. The Dems refuse. Meantime, there is a renewed interest in Espada's actual residency. He says he lives in a Bronx co-op, but no one ever sees him there. Instead the D.A. is looking into whether he actually lives in a big house in Mamaroneck -- which is outside his district. Al I can say is Oy. What is it with politicians and trouble with residency? (See Euguene, Mathieu.)

Now to the world.

From the man who almost was president comes a commentary about why a careful response from the White House to the extraordinary events in Iran is crucial: Sen. John Kerry writes: "If we actually want to empower the Iranian people, we have to understand how our words can be manipulated and used against us to strengthen the clerical establishment, distract Iranians from a failing economy and rally a fiercely independent populace against outside interference."

Oh, and let's end on a light note.

President Obama spoke at the Radio and Television Correspondents Association Dinner, and as usual he killed. The best part is watching Obama crack up at the jokes he's telling -- it's as if he can't believe that his handlers are making him recite such crazy lines... like this one: "In Egypt, we had the opportunity to tour the pyramids. And by now I'm sure you've all seen the pictures of Rahm on that camel. I admit, I was a little nervous about the whole situation. I said at the time, 'This is a wild animal known to bite, kick, and spit. And who knows what the camel could do?' "

At the dinner, JibJab released its latest animated parody video, He's Barack Obama. It has funny moments, but feels a bit of an unnecessary retread of well-worn jokes/jabs at the president (He's a superhero! He has big ears!). Eh, watch it anyway.

The World's Most Nutritious Salad

Last week I bought a copy of "The Belly Off! Diet" by Jeff Csatari and the editors of Men's Health. It has a ton of great information and advice. With some minor adjustments, the plan seems compatible with Weight Watchers.

Anyway, there's a section called The World's Most Nutritious Salad. Here are the ingredients:

Spinach
Broccoli
Red kidney beans
Yellow bell peppers
Swiss cheese
Carrots
Extra-virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Sunflower seeds
Flaxseeds
Almonds
Tomatoes
Chunk light tuna
Red-leaf lettuce

The book explains the nutritional value of each ingredient. Check it out.

See http://www.menshealth.com

6 Secrets of Weight Loss

According to "The Belly Off! Diet" from Men's Health, these are the six weight-loss techniques that many people who have lost weight say was crucial to their success:

1. Cut back on foods with refined flour and added sugars and replace with fruits, veggies, and whole grains.

2. Eat more lean protein and healthy fats.

3. Eat more often to space out calories and keep metabolism revving high.

4. Do muscle-building exercises 3 or more times a week.

5. Do cardio exercises such as running, biking, swimming, etc.

6. Practice portion control.

See http://www.menshealth.com

Post-Weekend-Yankees-Suck Playlist

Duran Duran "Wild Boys"

AC/DC "Hells Bells"

Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms"

Def Leppard "Die Hard the Hunter"

David Bowie "Space Oddity"

Marc Cohn "Paper Walls"

Bob Marley "Redemption Song"

Boston "More Than a Feeling"

Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer"

The Police "Message in a Bottle"

The Police "King of Pain"

Prince "When Doves Cry"

Marc Cohn Live

I have seen Marc Cohn in concert at:

Town Hall, NYC, 2005

Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, Conn., 2006

Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC, 2007

Highline Ballroom, NYC, 2007

Capital One Bank Theatre, Westbury, N.Y., 2008

Paramount Center for the Arts, Peekskill, N.Y., 2009