Farewell Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger, a pioneer of the modern folk music movement and peaceful activist, died recently, at age 94. Born in 1919 into an artistic family, he fell in love with folk music at age 16, and learned to play the five string banjo. He dropped out of Harvard in 1938 as a disillusioned sociology major and went on the road, picking up folk tunes as he hitchhiked or hopped freight trains. In 1940, with Woody Guthrie and other, he was part of the Almanac Singers, performing benefits for disaster relief and other cause, touring migrant camps and union halls. He spent 3 1/2 years in the Army in Special Services, entertaining soldiers in the south pacific.

With the Weavers, Seeger helped set the stage for a national folk revival. Together, they recorded Goodnight Irene, Tzena, and On Top of Old Smokey. Seeger also popularized We Shall Overcome. His musical career was always braided tightly with his political activism, which ranged from the civil rights movement to the cleanup of his beloved Hudson River. For several years he was a member of the Communist Party, but later renounced, but the association dogged him for years. He was kept off commercial television for more than a decade after being investigated by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1955. He was ultimately charged with contempt of Congress, but the sentence was overturned on appeal.

Regardless of his politics, Pete Seeger was an international inspiration to the folk music movement, and will remembered for the many tunes he sang or wrote. Among his many hits are If I Had a Hammer, We Shall Overcome, Turn, Turn, Turn, Where Have All the Flowers Gone?, Quiet Flows the Don, and Kisses Sweeter Than Wine.

Seeger was at the height of career when the Red Scare denied him broadcast exposure. He turned to touring college campuses, spreading the music that he, Guthrie, Huddie "Leadbelly Ledbetter and others had created or preserved. When he finally had the opportunity to return to commercial television on the Smothers Brothers show in 1967, his Vietnam protest song, Waist Deep in the Big Muddy, was cut from the program, and Seeger accused the network of censorship. Seeger had a long, prolific musical life, and will remembered for generations as one of the folk artists of the 20th century that revitalized the folk genre. Pete Seeger, you will be missed.

Red Cross Preparedness

The San Diego branch of the Red Cross is one of the largest in the country. Barbara and Pam arranged a visit to our local branch, where we spent two hours learning so much we didn't know about the Red Cross. They do so much important work it's hard to get it all into a short blog, so I will concentrate on several specific areas: Emergency call center, disaster preparedness, and Prepare San Diego are crucial areas of importance.

We walked into the call center for the San Diego chapter of the Red Cross, and I was blown away. The purpose of the call center is to act as a hotline for military families in crisis. There are only four call centers in the US, all of them manned 24/7 by volunteers and paid professionals. This service was started by Clara Barton, who also founded the Red Cross. They receive 340,000 call in San Diego each year. By having one world wide phone number for military families to call, the families can get the services they need. For example, if there is a death in the family and the wife is trying to contact her husband in Afghanistan, she calls the call center. The Red Cross contacts the husband's CO and he makes a decision on whether to give him emergency leave.

Another important function of the Red Cross is disaster preparedness and response. This is probably what most people think of when they think of the work of the Red Cross. The Red Cross responds to one disaster everyday in San Diego. This includes things like fire, earthquake or storms. The Red Cross building has what I would call a "situation room." It's a huge room filled with tables, computers, phones, and huge TV monitors. This room is where everything happens during a disaster. The TV monitors give information like where fires are, where earthquakes are, where disaster centers are located, etc. All of this is available instantly. They coordinate relief effort with highly technological equipment. With new technology, the Red Cross is able to get a shelter open in 40 minutes, something that used to take six hours!

Finally, and possibly most importantly for our local community, is a program called Prepare San Diego. The purpose of the program is get one million people in San Diego prepared for a disaster in the next four years. This includes things like training local neighborhoods in how to handle an emergency, and training volunteers in first aid, water safety, and CPR.

What I took away from my Red Cross tour was two main things. The Red Cross relies on donations for the work it does, and thanks to the generosity of many average citizens, some wealthy donors, and many large corporations, they are able to help worldwide in case of disaster. The other observation I made was how passionate all the Red Cross employees were about their work and it's importance. It was great to see so many dedicated workers who were really making a difference.

It's easy to get prepared, if you haven't done so already. Call the Red Cross and let them come to you! Yes, they'll come to your work or church or community and teach first aid, CPR and teach you how to get ready for an emergency. You know it's coming, it's just a matter of when. American Red Cross 858 309 1200, Ready San Diego(reverse 911 notifications) 858 565 3490, 211 San Diego (24 hour community, health and disaster information) 2-1-1.

Helping A Friend

You know me. I love to talk, and if I'm put on a bench with strangers, I will more than likely talk to them. One day I was at the Y and Kathy and I were outside after our spin class catching up on the latest in each of our lives. The summer was over, and we were trying to figure out a workout schedule for the fall where we could take some classes together. She had to go back into the Y for something, which gave me an opportunity to talk to some of the people from the walking group.

The Y has several walking groups, none of which I have ever joined. They sure look like they're having a good time, so I may give it a try. In any event, one of the male walkers was sitting with me, and we got to talking. He had just come back from a Baltic Cruise and so had I, so we started talking about our trips. He mentioned that he has a travel group (walking friends from the Y)that he had gone on the Baltic Cruise with, and then he proceeded to tell me the following story that warmed my heart.

Several years ago his travel group had been on a trip together and one man in particular, could not keep up. He would wait in the bus, have to sit down frequently when walking around, and could not walk for more than a few minutes without rest. The group didn't know what to do, as they loved this man who could not keep up. So here's what they did. The two other men in the travel group called him up and told him that they were going to come to his house every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and walk with him. They were going to get him fit, so he would be ready for the next travel adventure. They started meeting three times a week, and in a few months, not only was he in good shape and could walk 3.2 miles in one hour, but he liked it. Now the three men continue their walking together and love it. I almost forgot to mention that the man lost 30 pounds in the first year they walked together.

What a wonderful gift these two men gave their friend. To give of their time to walk with him and get him ready so he could continue traveling with them, was a testament to their friendship. I was so touched by their generosity toward their friend, it put a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

This same man told me a story about another friend of his, very overweight and diabetic, just a time bomb waiting to explode. His children bought him as a gift a membership in a health club and a private trainer. On his first visit to the gym the trainer put him on the treadmill to get a starting point for his fitness. He could only walk 1 minute without resting. He was so distressed by this that he never came back. In contrast, I have another friend who wanted to get in shape for a trip, so started training with a private trainer. On day one he could only walk 3 minutes without rest on the treadmill. He stuck with it, and after three months, was walking 45 minutes without rest.

Walking with a friend is a great way to socialize and help each other. I think about the two men that helped their friend by walking with him and benefited as much as the man they were intending to help. They all built a stronger bond and they all improved their fitness. What a great way to help a friend.

Cooking Dinner In A Coffee Pot

I saw this article recently, and couldn't resist sharing it with you. Just when you think you've seen everything, along comes a new way to cook your food. How or why anyone even thought of it is beyond me, but it is pretty funny. The woman who wrote about cooking in the coffee maker did so because of her nephew who was recently home from Afghanistan. He was complaining about the food in the mess hall. Soldiers were allowed to have coffee makers, so this woman developed recipes using the coffee maker. She created many recipes, like mac'n cheese, short ribs, chicken soup, split pea soup and poached salmon and steamed veggies. The design of the coffee maker gives you three basic techniques.

Steaming can be done at the top of the coffee maker. You can put in broccoli, cauliflower or any vegetable. Poaching can be done in the carafe at the bottom. You can also use it to cook hard boiled eggs, make couscous or oatmeal. Grilling can be done on the burner of the coffee maker. You can grill chicken or fish, or make a grilled cheese sandwich.

Would I ever use my coffee maker as a cooking vessel? I don't think so, but for the men and women in Afghanistan, kids in a dorm in college, or if you're in a hotel room with just a coffee maker, maybe I would. I just thought this story was such a perfect example of how necessity is the mother of invention. All you've got to cook with is a coffee maker, so this woman found a way to do it. Very ingenious.

Two Words of Advice

Imagine your adult mind is writing a letter to yourself as a 16 year old kid. You have just two words to give yourself some sage advice for the future. I was listening to the Jeff and Jer show on 96.5FM one morning, and they posed this question to their listeners. I loved the question and loved some of their answers. Unfortunately I came in at the tail end of the segment, but here are some of the two words letters of advice that the listeners of the show would give to themselves. Love yourself, mentor someone, trust yourself, invest Microsoft, invest Apple, save money, never settle and appreciate parents. Each one of these two word phrases is a little gem. Each person, depending on his experiences, would have a different two word answer. Keep learning and enjoy everyday are phrases that comes to mind for me, although I think "love yourself" is so important. Anyone have any great phrases they want to share? If so, respond to my blog, or send me a separate e-mail. I'd love to hear what others are thinking.

What Do You Know About Frank Gehry?

Once a month I attend a study group through Brandeis called Deis Flicks. Each month we see a movie or documentary on something interesting. In November we saw a documentary made by Sidney Pollack on the world's most famous living architect, Frank Gehry. Sidney and Frank had become friends about five years before the film was made, and when Sidney was asked to make the film, he hesitated. He said he had never done anything like that before, but ultimately said "Yes," and the result is a film that gives you an understanding of Frank Gehry, where he came from, and how he got where he is.

To begin with, he was born Frank Goldberg, in Toronto. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was young, and he changed his name in 1954, due to an incident at USC that he felt was anti-Semitism. He had long been told by high school and college teachers that architecture was the creative path he should pursue. He was a top student in his first year. Then, during his second year he was discouraged by a professor from continuing this path. Frank saw this as anti-Semitic, so he changed his name. We'll never know if it was or not, but if it wasn't, man, was this professor wrong!

Frank Gehry has changed the look of a conservative field. Early on his style was less of what historians call "contemporary cubist sculpture." As his fame and fortune grew, he became more confident in both his personal relationships and in the architecture he was creating. His work has become more daring. Today he can pick and choose his projects. The most important determinant on whether he takes on a new project, is how he feels about the client. He will not work with people he does not like. In the 1960's Gehry aligned himself with contemporary artists. Architects were making fun of his work, but artists understood him. It's amazing that this creative genius has never picked up a paintbrush. He says it scares him to death. There are many interviews with Gehry's long time therapist, Milton Wexler. We learn through the therapist that Gehry has been constantly concerned with bankruptcy, he is highly competitive, and his "Aw, shucks," attitude is a cover up for his insecurities. His love of architecture grew out of early childhood afternoons building cities and houses out of blocks, with his grandmother. He also loved to do anything with his hands as a young child, and this was encouraged by his father. His early projects were mostly home renovations in the LA area. I have probably driven by dozens of his projects and not even known it. In the early 1980's he designed Santa Monica Place, in my opinion, and his, a very ugly mall. He had to do what he did because of money, and he vowed never again to let money be the driving force in his creations. He has done so many buildings, but here is a short list of a few of them: Spiller house, Wynton house, Peterson house, Santa Monica Place, hockey rink in Anaheim, Vetra Furniture Museum, Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, O'Neil Hay Barn, Davis residence, Lewis mansion, Maggie's Place. Today he has a crew of dozens of creative men and women helping him create wonderful architecture for the world to enjoy.

Philomena Opened My Eyes

A group of my friends got together recently to view the movie, Philomena. It is a powerful movie, and as much as we enjoyed it initially, several days later we were still thinking about it, still wondering if it could be true. Were Catholic orphanages in Ireland selling the babies of unwed mothers to American families from 1948-1962? Yes they were, and before you jump to the terrible conclusion that I did, let me explain.

There was no abortion in Ireland in this time period, and the sin or all sins, both for the mother and her family, was to have a child out of wedlock. Many families sent their pregnant daughters to Catholic homes for unwed mothers to have their child and then have the child adopted out. All the adoptions at this time were done through Catholic organizations, as Ireland was at this time predominately Catholic. Culturally, the unwed mothers were shunned by society. So they went to a home for unwed mothers, had their child, and agreed to have the child adopted, and never speak of the event. Most mothers did this, but the hole in their heart was huge. Some went looking for their children years later, only to hit dead ends, as many of the children were given false names on their birth certificates. The children on the other end often faced the same dead end.

As portrayed in the movie, and in interviews with Philomena Lee herself, the most horrible part of the adoption process was that children were kept in an "orphanage" where their mothers served as indentured servants (repayment to the nuns for helping them through the birth of their child) and were allowed to see them an hour a day. This situation often lasted for several years, before the child was actually sold to an American family. It's one thing to take a baby at birth and put him into an adoptive family, but it's quite another to have them bond with their young mother, only to be taken from her several years later. It's really heartbreaking

The nuns were definitely doing a service for young unwed mothers, but the anguish for the mothers who lost their children must have been extraordinary. Both mother and child faced dead ends when looking for one another. Yes, most of these children went off to families and had a better life than they would have had in Ireland, but the way the separation took place was inhumane.

Of course things have changed now, in the age of the internet. Anyone can eventually find anyone. However, thousands of mothers and children were never able to reunite, before death came to one or the other. The Irish process of having children adopted in America was also prominent in other European countries after WW11. Young girls got pregnant by a soldier who never returned, and the mothers and babies were taken in by Catholic organizations. Many I'm sure were not as uncaring as depicted in the movie Philomena, but this was not unique. I found dozens of articles by children looking for their mothers, who describe similar circumstances. The movie was not a knock on the Catholic Church, but on the mores of the time, which made pregnancy out of marriage such a sin. (for Catholics and non Catholics). I want to believe that most nuns felt they were doing the right thing, the moral thing. Thinking has changed today, and even though the church still sees out of wedlock pregnancy as a sin, it would be handled differently. I guess the human race is making some progress.

Apple Pie Bites

This recipe is so simple, you'll wonder why you never thought of it yourself. I love apple pie, but so often you don't want to bake a whole pie, you just want a bite. Apple pie bites are perfect for you. I will give you the regular recipe, then an alternative using less sugar and less pastry. I hope you enjoy this. Apple Pie Bites THIS IS SO SIMPLE! A family Favorite: APPLE PIE BITES 1 tube Crescent rolls 1 Slice apple per triangle 1 Tbsp. Melted Butter Cinnamon & sugar Preheat Oven to 350˚ 1. Roll out the dough on a greased cookie sheet, brush with butter and sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on individual pieces of dough. 2. Roll up an apple slice in the dough forming a crescent, brush with melted butter and top with cinnamon. Repeat for others. 3. Bake for 12-15 Minutes at 350˚. 4. Remove from oven, but be careful, the filling will be hot! Serve alone or with a dollop of Vanilla Ice Cream. For a similar taste with less calories, try the following. Make a mixture of cinnamon and Splenda, and use this in place of the cinnamon and sugar. Instead of using a whole triangle for each apple slice, unfold the entire package and roll the dough thinner, but not too thin. Cut the dough into triangles and proceed as directed above. You should be able to make about 1/3 more apple pie bites with the thinner dough. Also, cook these only about 10 minutes or until golden brown. This little bite will satisfy your sweet tooth without blowing your diet.

History Lesson Of The Day: The Bikini

It's hard to imagine, but the bikini, a cultural icon in the U.S., has only been around for 60 years. The actual word "bikini" has been in existence since 1946, however the popular two-piece swimsuit that embodies that name has existed since about 1600 B.C. What follows is the fascinating history of the bikini. Based on evidence from Roman mosaics and murals, historians believe that the bikini was popular swim suit attire for ancient Roman women. In a time when cultural and moral norms were much more lax than they are today, the bikini was right at home. Actually, historians have evidence that the bikini was in existence long before ancient Rome. Cave excavators have discovered Minoan wall paintings from 1600 B.C. that show a two-piece outfit similar to the modern day bikini. Modern day evidence of the bikini began in the summer after the close of World War 11. As France recovered from the reeling effects of the war on its home soil, Jacques Heim, a fashion designer from Cannes, was busily working on this latest style invention, a two-piece swimsuit of a very revealing nature. Heim debuted his creation in 1946. He named the swimsuit the "Atome" in honor of the recently discovered atom, the smallest particle of matter yet detected. He then sent skywriters over the beaches of Cannes to announce the Atome, "the world's smallest bathing suit," was now available for purchase. The man who has gone down in history as the inventor of the bikini is not Jacques Heim, but Louis Reard. Reard, a French mechanical engineer turned swimsuit designer, unveiled his Atome creation, just three weeks after Heim. Reard named his swimsuit the "bikini," taking the name from the Bikini Reef, one of a series of islands in the South Pacific where testing on the atom bomb was occurring. Reard's bikinis was introduced to the U.S. markets in 1947 to a shocked America, and slow sales. The bikini was even outlawed in public in many U.S. cities. It would be nearly 20 years before American women truly embraced the bikini. Since the 1960's there has been no turning back. American women, and men, began a love affair with the bikini which has lasted to this day. Perhaps the sexual and moral revolution of the 1960's accounted for this love affair. Long live the bikini.

Green Invaders From Mexico

I've told you before that I find out the most interesting things at the Y. I was there early on a Sunday morning and had a cup of coffee before class with Jan. She started telling me about the thousands of green parrots that call Southern California their home. I was not aware of this, so I did a little research, and found out that parrots from Mexico began coming here over 50 years ago. There are thousands of them living in the Pasadena area, and in San Diego, flocks have been seen in La Mesa, Pacific Beach, Jamul and Oceanside. One ornithologist in La Mesa says he can almost set his watch by their comings and goings. They love to eat the seeds in his rubber tree, and arrive almost daily around 5pm. There are many versions of how they came here, none of which are very interesting, but the reality is, they are thriving in this urban jungle. Most parrot species in the wild are threatened or endangered, yet here in San Diego they are thriving. There are at least 13 species of tropical parrots that have traded the jungles of Mexico and Central and South America for the Southern California. They include blue crowned conures, cherry headed conures, mitred conures, red crowned Amazons and yellow headed Amazons. They are now considered naturalized by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and are considered non threatened because they typically nest in or consume non native ornamental plants. They produce no agricultural damage. So, look up once in a while, when you hear a group of squawking birds. You might just see of flock of beautiful green parrots go flying by, something you would not expect. It's not that surprising, as I've learned to expect the unexpected.

Navy Medical Center San Diego Is Doing Great Things

Barbara and Pam planned a wonderful day trip for a group of Newcomers to the Navy Medical Center in San Diego. The hospital sits on 80+acres in Florida Canyon, part of Balboa Park. (there are also 10 clinics in San Diego County, for those that are not close to the hospital) I've driven by the hospital dozens of times and never thought much about what was going on inside. You'll be surprised. First of all, more that 250,000 San Diego residents are eligible for care at NMCSD, with nearly 100,000 beneficiaries enrolled. Active, reserve and retired men and women, and their families, are eligible for treatment at this facility. The staff is comprised of more than 6,5000 military, civilian, contractor and volunteer personnel. In addition to being recognized as an amputee center of excellence, the hospital has achieved national acclaim for many of its critical and research programs. The hospital has 272 beds which can be expanded to 500 beds. 18 operating rooms, 10 dental clinics (for active duty), 200 seat chapel, 2 libraries, helicopter landing pad for medevacs, and a medical and surgical simulation center are just some of the many things offered at this facility. 10 babies are delivered everyday, and the pharmacy administers 1000 prescriptions each day. The site, which contains 40 buildings, has training for doctors and nurses that will be deployed. They use the Bio Skills Training Center, which is unlike anything I have seen before. Simulated training from everything from taking blood, to removing a gall bladder, to life saving medicine that may be needed in war, is practiced on a simulator. Additionally virtual humans are used for all kinds of practice situations. We watched as a group of about 20 doctors watched a simulated emergency surgery on the foot. The virtual humans give the doctor a chance to practice skills he may need on the battlefield. It was amazing to watch. Then there's the wounded warrior program, where the Naval Hospital is doing wonderful things to help military men and women with life threatening injuries to live normal lives. The progress in prosthetics is so rapid, improving so quickly, that men and women that a few years ago might not have even lived, are now walking! Research is also done at this facility, and shared with UCSD and other hospitals in the area. Learning about this amazing hospital, right in our own backyard, was an eye opener. Learning about the training that our men and women receive before they are deployed tells me why we have the best military in the world. They are highly skilled, both physically and mentally, and if soldiers are injured, they receive the best care both on the battlefield and at home. They deserve that. We are grateful for their service and understand their sacrifice, and should make sure that every man and woman coming home from war has access to the kind of medical care they are getting at Naval Hospital of San Diego.

My Personal Journal

At 6:45am on an early December morning, I left the house to take Pepper for a morning walk, and was greeted by a friendly process server, looking to serve Ron with a subpoena. You would think after 13 years it would be over, but it's not. There is a lawsuit by some victims against a bank, and although Ron is not involved in the case, he has knowledge of what happened. He had met with the attorneys the month before, and had been assured he would not be called to testify. Well, someone didn't get that memo, and he received an early morning subpoena that ruined his day, and was yet another reminder that it's not over until it's over.

Things have been straightened out now. The law firm that subpoenaed Ron apologized profusely. No subpoena was supposed to be sent. Someone screwed up. Getting the deposition reminded us again of how many lives are effected by a single act. Without getting into Ron's case, I often think how many lives were changed because of this case. Not only did it effect hundreds of people personally, but it effected decades long friendships and family relationships.

We recently went to Phoenix to visit Ron's friends Phil and Ellen, both of whom he has known for 58 years. Phil had some business to discuss with Ron, and Ron had another client to see. Prior to our trip, Ron thought a lot about being in the same city with the man who had caused him so much grief over the last decade. The question he kept asking himself was, "I wonder who he's scamming now." The answer is, "Probably someone."

Of course Ron never went to see the man, never would, but just knowing that he would be several miles away from him, made Ron a little uncomfortable. We live far away from Los Angeles, where all Ron's troubles started and ended. We have a wonderful life in San Diego, with new friends and where Ron's past problems are pretty much in the past. Ron's partner Jack chose to stay in Los Angeles, where I guess he has made a life for himself. I think that would be difficult, with people and places as constant reminders, but I guess it has worked for him.

It's easy for people to say to Ron, "It's over, just move on." It's not that easy. The process of being pursued by the government, threatened and having your family threatened, and ultimately incarceration, changes you. When people know your history, many look at you differently. People are not lining up to give felons a second chance, unless you have a famous name. Then you will get your book deal or another chance at what you were previously doing. (Michael Vick, Martha Stewart). So everyday you are reminded of what you've been through, and at some point, it wears you down. I marvel at how Ron keeps a positive attitude. He just got an opportunity to do more umpiring in Carlsbad and La Costa. He's happy for that opportunity. He just got a new tax client, too. Not much, but each little bit builds his confidence. I remember what his criminal lawyer told him when he was first charged. He said that once you're in the system, you in for life, and it will change your life forever, because you're never getting out. He was right.

What To Know About Experiential Travel

Among my many hats over the past 50 years, has been travel agent. I have been a travel agent since 1988, and continue to book tours, cruises and FIT's today. I love to travel, and love the travel business. Over the past 20 years, the industry has changed, and travel has changed. The latest data shows that experiential travel is a growing trend for luxury travelers and includes eco-travel as well as adventure activities. Just what is experiential travel, you ask? Here is a list of key points about experiential travel: 1. It is a journey away from home, involving a truly memorable and powerful experience (active, cultural, natural, social or spiritual) that will enrich a person's life. 2. 48% of people are seeking meaningful experiences while traveling. Being immersed in local culture rather than following a standard tourist itinerary is an example of experiential travel. 3. 88% of households with income of $250,000 plan to travel next year, which means that there is a large market for experiential travel. 4. Older and more financially secure groups are interested in experiential travel, as well as younger travelers looking for off-the-beaten-path experiences. 5. The definition of "luxury" is changing. While the term used to mean black-tie dinners and elaborate suites, now it can also refer to once-in-a-lifetime trips. 6. Prices for experiential travel trips vary. Some things that might be included in experiential travel are: small tour groups, unscripted itineraries, visits to less-traveled towns and sights, plenty of opportunity to converse with locals, less focus on hitting destination highlights, and more emphasis on taking home great stories, focus on food and culture, off-the-beaten-path destinations, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, eco-travel, living like a local/and/or adrenaline-inducing experiences. Look for experiential travel to continue to grow. My trip to Cuba in 2000 was experiential travel, although we didn't call it that at the time. We visited the homes of several local (well known) artists, met their families, and had dinner with them. This was a great way to learn what Cubans think and feel. It was so much better than seeing a lot of monuments. Look for experiential travel in your next adventure, for a truly memorable experience.