Odds and ends

• NPR’s Nick Miroff on Havana’s movie houses, and the crush of business during the annual December film festival.

• Is the paladar La Guarida closing? Penultimos Dias has a report that says that’s the case.

• Cardinal Ortega’s Christmas message, read on Cuban television.

• “He lies all the time, deceives with demagogic words, with profound cynicism.” That’s Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez going way over the top in describing President Obama. In response, General Barry McCaffrey pulled out of a delegation to Cuba.

• AFP on the wave of Cuban Americans celebrating the holidays in Cuba this year; Spanish version here.

• Reuters: Los Van Van will perform in Key West next month, and will return in April for a 70-concert tour. And in February, Omara Portuondo will perform in Washington.