15:04 The bible of booze
Writers muse on the meaning of hard drinking in their lives in a new anthology, “The Blue Book of the Alcoholic,” which includes short stories, biographical sketches of bohemian artists and an account of drying out at a U.S. rehab center.

14:57 Music makers
Musicians Igor Butman and David Goloshchokin were among the stars headlining the Jazz Q Festival in St. Petersburg two weeks ago, and to take advantage of the shared billing of two of Russia’s premier jazz stars.

14:50 Smoke on the water
Hookah bars often spring up around college campuses first, then work their way into the nightlife scene. But in St. Petersburg, hookahs can be found everywhere from small Middle Eastern cafes to beach playgrounds for the rich and trendy.