The Life And Death of Larry King

 I was saddened to hear of the recent death of Larry King.  He was an icon in journalism.  He focused on interviewing people from all walks of life, from presidents, entertainment superstars and  sports stars, to the average man on the street.  He asked open ended questions to get people talking and really open them up.  He did just just that.  His run at CNN lasted 25 years,

On the personal side of his life, he was married eight times.  I didn't know him, but he must have been difficult to get along with.  I know on good authority that he was quite a gambler, and that he declared bankruptsy twice.  He was a fixture in Beverly Hills for years, back in the 90's having breakfast most mornings at Nate 'N Al's with his old friends from Brooklyn.  Ron knew the gang that hung out with Larry everyday, and even managed to have a few breakfasts with them.  He always came back exhilarted.  Jokes and stories about Brooklyn, gambling stories about horseracing (he loved the races), and stories about the Dodgers.  How amazing that childhood friends from Brooklyn move to Los Angeles, maintain their friendship by meeting almost daily for breakfast for decades.  They all made fortunes over this time, Larry King in broadcast journalist, the others in real estate.  

He certainly had his ups and downs in life, love and finances, but sadly it appears that he died from Covid-19.  He will be missed.

How Much Birdie Juice Will You Drink During 18 Holes of Golf?

 One of the few activities that is safe during the pandemic, is golf.  I've been playing more, getting better, and meeting some new people.  I recently filled in as the fourth in a group of very nice ladies.  I was invited by my friend Sue, but the two other players were new to me.  

This group was a real kick.  On hole number 2, one of the women said, "When are we going to have some birdie juice?"  I didn't know what it was, but I found out when Sue got the first birdie of the day.  One of the ladies pulled out a flask and little dixie cups!  I said to myself, "What's going on?"  Apparently their tradition is that one of the players brings a whiskey flask filled with her favorite drink (we enjoyed butterscotch schnapps) and little cups for everyone.  After every birdie, there is a quick drink for everyone.  The better your group plays, the more birdie juice you drink.  Good golfers could return drunk.  Our group was not that good.  We only had two birdies (amongst the four of us) in 18 holes, so only two chances to drink the delicious birdie juice.  

I can't wait to golf with them again.  Next time someone else will bring the birdie juice, so it will be a different alcoholic beverage.  Whatever it is, the tradition is an incentive to make birdies.  This is just a fun way to make golf more fun than it already is!

How Did We Develop A Covid=19 Vaccine So Quickly?

 The fastest vaccine-the mumps vaccine, took four years to develop, so how is it that the coronavirus vaccine was developed in less than a year?  The speed with which it was developed is what keeps 39% if respondents in 19 countries unsure about whether to take the vaccine or not.

Researchers were not tarting from scratch when they learned about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.  There are hupndreds of corronaviruses, including four that can cause the common cold, as well as the viruses that sparked SARS and MERS.  Scientists have been studying coronaviruses for over 50 years.  Thus, scientists had existing data on the structure, genorme and life scycle of this type of virus.  

Because of the global pandemic, time was a luxury that the world could not afford.  Researchers quickly mobilized to share their coronavirus data with other scientists.  Just 10 days after the first reported pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, researchers successfully uncovered the viral sequence of Covid-19.  The ability to fast-track research and clinical trials was the direct result of this worldwide cooperation.

Hopefully this information will help people make a more informed decision as to whether to take the vaccine or not.  Skeptics are nervous about the speed with which the vaccine was developed.  Now you know that development was in the works for years, and through a global effort, the first vaccine was ready for  use in record time.  Now all we have to do is hope that delivery and implementation of shots will be done quickly and effectively.

Tell Me A Story

 How are we influenced?  Many things influence what we think and feel, and leaders have studied various tools to influence, teach and inspire.  It has been scientifically proven that storytelling is one of the most powerful means that leaders, salesmen, and teachers can use to influence their followers.  In fact, storytelling is 22 times more memorable than facts!

The neural activity in the brain increases five times, when  someone is told a story, over just giving someone a bunch of facts.  The brain lights up like a switchboard.  I often hear journalists say "Facts Matter."  Do they really?

If facts really mattered, wouldn't everyone be wearing a mask?  The fact is, that wearing a mask saves lives, yet many people listen to stories that make them believe otherwise. 

Listen to great salesmen and community leaders.  The most successful ones are storytellers.  For example, Joe Biden loves to tell stories about his childhood in Scranton.  People remember those stories, relate to him more on a personal level because there's a story behind the man.  If he just spewed a lot of facts rather than weaving a story, he would be less effective.  Great salesmen are always telling stories.  Rather than just present the product to the customer, they build trust and comraderie through storytelling.

My father was a great storyteller.  He used to tell me stories when I was young, then continued the tradition with my kids.  He would make up stories about war, surviving in the jungle alone, sea stories, but he would always mix in a bit of history, so he got my children engaged in an exciting story while teaching them history!  They would remember everything, but if you put the same information in a history book, most of it would not be absorbed

So watch for influencers that are storytellers.  They are the ones that people are likely to listen to and believe.  Facts are important, but everyone loves a good story. 

I'm Busier Than Ever, But Something's Missing

 My days are full.  I am so tired at the end of the day, that I often go bed at 9pm, hours earlier than I used to.  I rise around 6:45am.  My first activity is a 30 minute walk with Pepper.  When I return, I fix him breakfast, make my breakfast, and sit down with a good book.  I used to enjoy reading in the afternoon, but that is just not happening anymore, so I read for about 45 minutes in the morning.  I tidy up the house, not much to do there, and by 9am I am ready to start the day.  

My days consist of pickleball most days, golf at least once a week, swimming twice a week, bridge 3-4 days a week, and Zoom.  My favorite Zoom call is Wednesday at 5pm, Jews United for Democracy.  Each week they have a speaker.  Last week it was Lt. Colonel Vindman and Max Boot.  This week it is David Gergen.  They always have the best speakers!  I talk with friends too, go out to lunch and walk with friends, and take Pepper on lots of walks.

So what's missing?  I call it, "the human touch."  There's no one to hug, kiss, or snuggle up to.  Yes, much of the feeling I have is the fact that I am now alone.  I know that.  But it's more than that.  I've always loved hugging, and now when I see friends, we do a fist bump or a virtual hug.  It's just not the same.  Covid-19 has changed all that, for all of us.  So, those if you have a significant other or someone in your bubble to hug, do so.  You're lucky to have that person.  The rest of us, we'll have to wait for the pandemic to end before we can get back to hugging, and including that important ingredient in our daily lives.

Dealing With Climate Change

 Even if Biden reverses  by executive order some of the many actions taken by President Trump on climate change, like being part of The Paris Accord, it would only get us back to where we were four years ago, which was not where we should have been.  He must go bold, and according to his press secretary, these are some of the actions President Biden plans to take right away.

• Requiring aggressive methane pollution limits for new oil and gas operations.
• Using the federal government procurement system — which spends $500 billion every year — to drive toward 100 percent clean energy and zero-emissions vehicles.
• Ensuring that all US government installations, buildings, and facilities are more efficient and climate-ready, harnessing the purchasing power and supply chains to drive innovation.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation — the fastest growing source of US climate pollution — by preserving and implementing the existing Clean Air Act, and developing rigorous new fuel economy standards aimed at ensuring 100 percent of new light- and medium-duty vehicles will be electrified and annual improvements are made for heavy-duty vehicles.
• Doubling down on the liquid fuels of the future, which make agriculture a key part of the solution to climate change. Advanced biofuels, made with materials like switchgrass and algae, can create jobs and new solutions to reduce emissions in planes, oceangoing vessels, and more.
• Saving consumers money and reducing emissions through new, aggressive appliance and building efficiency standards.
• Committing that every federal infrastructure investment should reduce climate pollution, and require any federal permitting decision to consider the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
• Requiring public companies to disclose climate risks and the greenhouse gas emissions in their operations and supply chains.
• Protecting biodiversity, slowing extinction rates and helping leverage natural climate solutions by conserving 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030.
• Protecting America’s natural treasures by permanently protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other areas impacted by President Trump’s attacks on federal lands and waters, establishing national parks and monuments that reflect America’s natural heritage, banning new oil and gas permitting on public lands and waters, modifying royalties to account for climate costs, and establishing targeted programs to enhance reforestation and develop renewables on federal lands and waters, with the goal of doubling offshore wind by 2030.
• What a great start, just to have new regulations in place will be comforting.  I know that one of Biden's most urgent actions will be getting new regulations for air, water and manufacturing in place.  With everything else he has on his plate, i hope he can do it.

CopyCat Culture: Cloning Your Pet

 Cloning your dog or cat has become big business.  The largest company doing this in the United States is Viagen.  They charge about $50,000 to clone your dog, and around $35,000 to clone your cat.  Often owners take tissue samples of their pet and freeze them.  Pet can also be cloned if the pet has already died by extracting a tissue sample.

Advocates of cloning pets say that you have an exact replica of your beloved pet, just born at another time.  Cloning cats was first done at Texas A and M in 2001, then in 2005 the first dog was cloned in Seoul, Korea.  The cost of cloning prohibits most people from this procedure.  Several famous people have cloned their dogs, Barbra Streisand and Diane Von Furstenburg being among them.  Do I think cloning pets is a good idea?  No, I think it is a terrible idea.  Morally and ethically it not something I believe in.

I feel that each animal pet, just like every person on earth, is unique.  I have had many pets (mostly dogs) in my life, and each, in its own way was unique and special.  Morally, I feel that with all the homeless dogs and cats on this earth, creating a copy cat of one we loved, is wrong.  We need to provide homes for the homeless pets.  I also think that the next step in cloning could be humans.  Most people think that this is wrong, so why is it not wrong for pets?  I think it is!  I have loved every dog I have ever had for their individuality and one of a kind personality.  I have never felt the need to create a replica of a pet I already had.  Part of the fun of a new pet is watching it grow and develop, never knowing exactly how that pet will turn out.  I firmly believe in rescuing pets and this will always be the way I acquire a new dog.

What To Do During Lockdown

 

You've probably been looking for things to keep yourself busy during this unimaginably difficult time.  I have returned to cooking, one of my great loves.  I was making Pavlova one day when my hand mixer died.  The following day I bought a beautiful next counter mixer.  It's a beautiful blue, and has all the bells and whistles.  As soon as I got it I started cooking up a storm.  Cookies, meringues, and bread.  Yes, bread.  

This was my first attempt at bread.  It looks gorgeous, but in all honesty does not taste as good as it looks.  It is too dense.  I like bread with air spaces inside that is light and airy.  I will keep trying.  Phil told me to slice it up, freeze it, and use it for toast.  That's exactly what I did.  It is so much better toasted

The following day I was thinking about what to make for lunch.  I had a nice ripe avocado available, so I made avocado toast.  I toasted my homemade bread, smashed 1/4 of a large avocado and salted it, put sliced tomatoes on top, and finished it off with a poached egg.  It was a wonderful lunch, so good in fact that I made the very same thing the following day.  If I make anything fantastic in the next few weeks, you will see it here on my blog.  Until, enjoy your home cooking.

What Was One Of The First Things Britain Did After Leaving The EU?

 One of the first things the British government did after finally leaving the EU in December, was to get rid of the 5% tax on sanitary necessities for women.  Under EU law, nations cannot reduce the rate of the Value Added Tax on menstrual products below 5% as they are deemed luxury items and not necessities.  Ireland is the only EU country that doesn't charge a levy on sanitary products because its zero tax rate was in place before the EU set its floor.

The Pink Tax, as it was called, made women pay an additional tax on feminine products like deodorant, shaving cream for women, and sanitary products.  By 2015 there was a lot of pressure on states to eliminate the Pink Tax.  So far, only Connecticut, Florida, Illinois and New York have passed a law that makes sanitary necessities tax exempt.  So far 20 other states have introduced bills to eliminate the Pink Tax, but none have been passed so far. 

Who in their right mind does not think sanitary napkins or Tampons are necessities for women?  I can only think these laws are made by men, who do not understand how necessary sanitary napkins are to women.

Anticipated Restaurants Openings in San Diego, 2021

 Despite the pandemic, a number of restaurants plan to open in San Diego in 2021.  I guess they look at bad economic times as an opportunity.  Here are some of the places you might see opening this year.

1.  The Hangar, Oceanside.  Carruth Cellars Urban Winery from Solana Beach plan to open a large-sale brewery, tasting room and beer and wine garden this spring near the Oceanside Municipal Airport.

2.  Marisi Italiano, La Jolla.  San Diego's Puesto Mexican restaurant will open its first Italian restaurant in the space formeraly occupied by  Whiskladel on Wall St.  Home made pastas, breads and pastries will be served and a full bar will be available.

3.  Rare Society, Solana Beach.  A retro steakhouse and bar will include 90 seats indoors, including 26 at the bar, and 36 seats outdoors.  They will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, and plan to open in the spring.

4.  Richard Blais, signature restaurant, Carlsbad.  Richard Blais, celebrity chef, will open the yet to be named restaurant in the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in March.  It will feature locally caught seafood and aged steaks.

5.  Sky Deck, Carmel Valley.  The Sky Deck will be an upscale food an beverage hall, scheduled to open in February.  It will be above Jimbo's in Del Mar Highlands, and will have 10 restaurant vendors and an outdoor Brewer's Deck.  

6.  VAGA, Encinitas.  Alila Marea Beach Resort will open soon in Encinitas, and renowned local chef Claudette Zepeda is the new executive chef.  She will oversee the poolside bar/lounge, as well as the dining room, which will feature many ethnic dishes.

7.  White Rice, Liberty Station.  Chef Phillip Esteban will open a restaurant that serves savory rice bowls inspired by his native Filipino cuisine.  It will open inside Liberty Public Market early this year.

There are many more scheduled to open, and some that, amazingly have recently opened.  As soon as we can get out more, I plan to start exploring the plethora of new eating establishments.  I can't wait!

Cultured Chicken Will Reduce Methane Gas

The raising of farm animals  for human consumption amounts for 20-30% of the methane gas spewed into the air every year.  How can we help control climate change and reduce (maybe eliminate) tightly packed warehouses that are a public health hazard, a fire hazard and a worker safety hazard?  We can produce cultured, or lab grown meat.  

Several start up companies have been working on producing cultured chicken, and it has finally been approved for use in Singapore.  Israel also has an experimental restaurant where lab grown meat will soon be available.

Lab-grown chicken is meant to be physically identical to chicken slaughtered in the traditional way.  It is made from genuine chicken cells, but it is grown on a cell-scaffold in a factory instead of growing in a live animal.  It differs from plant-based meats, which are not identical to the real thing on a cellular level.  

The same approach can be used for beef and pork, but chickens seem the best place to start.  Here's what they do.  Chicken cells are taken from a real live chicken.  No killing is involved.  The chicken cells are then immersed in a liquid solution that encourages the cells to multiply.  This product is aimed at meat eaters, not vegetarians.  Imagine being able to eliminate factory farming and the deplorable conditions for workers and animals alike!

Of course every great idea has a negative side.  Lab grown chickens would eliminate chicken farms and processing plants for thousands of workers.  If cultured chicken becomes popular, the same process could be used to produce beef and pork.  Would that be the end of ranches and farms that produce these animals for meat?  That's decades down the road.  I won't be here to see it, but it is a way to significantly reduce the destruction of our planet.

Beyond Meat and other plant based products are now mainstream and found in every supermarket and many restaurants, so over time the same may happen with cultured chicken.  Singapore is the first to approve it, but others will follow.  It's all so fascinating, but it has great implications for commerce that have to be dealt with.

It's Flu Season But There's No Flu

 The silver lining of this pandemic is that there is virtually no flu this year.  Why?  Well, for a few reasons.  First, all the health practices that we are observing to keep from getting Covid-19 are keeping us from getting the flu.  Washing our hands, social distancing and staying home are all contributing to a 98% drop in flu this year.  Additional, many more people received flu shots this year than ever before.  Finally, there is no international travel.  International travel is a big spreader of influenza.  People traveling from the southern hemisphere, where it is summer, to the northern hemisphere, where it is winter, bring influenza.  There have been almost no international flights, so this activity isn't taking place.

Over 70,000 people die each year in the U.S. from the flu.  I hope when this pandemic is over that people will not forget the health practices they followed this year that kept them safe.  Getting the flu vaccine, washing hands, and staying away from big crowds will help keep our flu numbers down in the future,\.