Chicles de Talpa

 You probably never heard of the town of Talpa, about two hours by car from Puerta Vallarta.  Talpa is a mountainous town and

the home of edible art in the "Cradle of gum."  

In a mission to boost development by attracting tourists with it's centuries old traditions, Talpa is expected to attracting 20 million visitors this year.  The Mexican government is trying to steer more tourists to small towns like Talpa, in a new program called "magic towns."

The gum creations are works of art.  There is nowhere else in the world where craftsmen and women produce these works of art.  The gum is unflavored and chewable. The creations are sculpted using only a pair of scissors and tweezers.  The gum disks are bathed in hot water to soften them, then colored with a rainbow of vegetable dyes, then cut and rolled into long strings.  The artist might create a rose, a pair of shoes, a mariachi band, fruits and veggies, hats, animals, just about anything you can think of.  

The annual gum competition takes place each year, with the first prize of $425 at stake, but what's really at stake is bragging rights until the next competition.  

I fell in love with these little gum creations when I first saw them at my mom's house in LA.  Her live in companion, Chayo, had acquired some from a friend.  She is now trying to get some more for me from a friend traveling to Talpa.  I can't wait to see what she brings me.  

Was Brett Kavanaugh Thoroughly Checked Before Being Nominated To The Supreme Court?

 I was listening to an Al Franken Podcast one morning, where he was interviewing Sheldon Whitehouse.  One topic they discussed was whether there was a proper background check done by the FBI during the Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing.

First, Sheldon Whitehead is a highly respected senator, promoting progressive ideas.  Prior to becoming senator of Rhode Island, he was Attorney General of the state during the Clinton years.  Now, he has asked Merrick Garland to help facilitate "proper oversight" in Brett Kavanaugh's background check process in 2018.

As I'm sure you remember, the confirmation process for Kavanaugh was tumultuous.  I remember Ron and I were driving to Phoenix to visit friends, and were glued to the radio.  The testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, who claimed Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers, was compelling.  Kavanaugh denied the claims.  The FBI interviewed a number of people after listening to the testimony, but they did not interview Kavanaugh or Ford as part of the probe.

Whitehouse's concern is that some witnesses who wanted to share information with the FBI could not find anyone at the bureau to accept their testimony.  No one had been assigned to accept or gather information.  This is unique behavior, as the FBI is usually seeking information and evidence, but in this matter, the doors were closed.  

The FBI  created a tip line.  He said the senators had been made aware of a"stack" of information that had come through the tip line, but were given no information on how the information had been reviewed.  In fact, the information was NOT reviewed.  The tip line appears to have operated more like a garbage chute, with everything that came down the chute consigned to the dumpster. 

This appears to be worthy of further investigation, and I hope Merrick Garland will do what is necessary.  Thoroughly investigate Kavanaugh's background check process, and determine whether it was thorough.  We deserve to have the highest quality individuals on the court, and full transparency is necessary to assure that we do.

Zero Click Vulnerability is Frightening

You think your phone is secure from phishing and hackers?  Well, think again.  Spyware such as Pegasus, formerly used by spies, has gone mainstream.   Governments are using the software to spy on important people, including journalists, members of congress, and other high profile individuals.  If this doesn't scare you, I don't know what will.  Please take the time to watch this short video and understand that if your phone is hacked, the hackers will know more about you than you could imagine.  And you won't even know they have this information!  Very scary stuff. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7H9uo3j5FQ

Eugenios: A New Italian Restaurant in San Marcos

 The shopping center across from San Marcos High School is not much to look at, but don't overlook the new Italian restaurant, Eugenios.  Everything is made to order, so don't go if you're in a hurry.  If you want some great Italian food, good wine a big menu, go to Eugenios.

We started with drinks, with wine well priced.  House wines were $8-9, and other wines by the glass were around $11.  They even offered individual single serving bottles of Prosecco.  We shared an appetizer special, thinly sliced beef, tomatoes, and a large ball of fresh mozzarella, served with toasted bread.  It was delicious.  For entrees we had the smoked salmon pasta in vodka sauce, just delicious.  Also, the chicken piccata, served with mashed potatoes and veggies was beautiful and so tasty.  The short rib papparadelle was outstanding.

Eugenio, the owner, spent the last 10 years at West Bistro in Carlsbad.  He opened the restaurant and was executive chef for the past 10  years.  He is the only cook in the kitchen, so everything is made to order and is delicious.  It's a big menu, with many appetizers, soups and salads, homemade pastas for the pasta dishes, entrees and pizzas.  I don't know how he does it, but everything is good.  Be sure to make a reservation, and enjoy.

Covid Sniffing Dogs Unleashed At Miami Airport

 With all the wrong moves that the state of Florida has made recently regarding the Covid-19 crisis, they finally got something right.  They have hired two Covid sniffing dogs to detect the virus in employees passing trough a checkpoint before work.  They can detect the presence of the virus in sweat, breath and scents.  If the dog signals the odor of the virus on a person, that person will be asked to take a rapid coronavirus test.

This is a pilot program at MIA, the first airport to employ dogs to detect the virus.  The most important fact to note, is the accuracy of the dogs.  They are over 90% accurate in detecting coronavirus, much more accurate than a Covid-19 test.  The problem is, training coronavirus detecting dogs can be time consuming and costly, but with such great results, you will see more of these dogs at airports as time goes on.  

I can see the program expanding, to check airline passengers for Covid.  Also, how about having dogs sniff out concert goers, or fans entering a football stadium?  In the long run, it seems training mixed breed dogs that are stuck in shelters to sniff out the virus, might be much faster, more accurate, and less expensive than using human personnel to test people.  It's a win/win the way I see it.  The dogs get a new lease on life, and our community gets a more accurate way to detect the virus.  We'll see how it goes.

One Billion Sea Creatures Cooked To Death Should Get Your Attention

 Shoreline temperatures in July reached above 120 degrees in the Pacific Northwest, breaking all heat records.  Intertidal animals such as clams and mussels can only endure high temperatures for a short period of time, but during the heat wave, those unlucky animals may have been exposed to the shoreline heat in the mid-afternoon when tides were lowest, trapping them on land for more than six hours.

These creatures are part of the food chain necessary to provide nutrition for ducks and starfish.  Population of the sea creatures should rebound in a year or two, but more frequent and more severe heat waves could have a more lasting impact on their numbers.  The last heat wave to kill shellfish in this way was in 2019, when thousands of mussels were cooked to death in Bodega Bay.  These events seem to be coming more frequently and more intensely.  

If we don't like it, we need to work harder to reduce emissions and take other measures to reduce the effects of climate change.

Do You Really Know Why California Gas Tax Was Raised Again?

 I've been watching the September 14 recall election commercials with great interest.  Larry Elder's ads are riddled with falsehoods.  Here's just one example.  He talks about the recent 5.11 cent raise in the gas tax in California, making it the highest in the country.  He says in his ad that Gavin Newsome just raised the gas tax again.  This is untrue.

This automatic increase is due to SB1 that was signed into law in 2017.  It incrementally raises the fuel tax each year to help fund road and bridge repairs.  (Ha, ha, I'm still looking for road repairs).  The state maintains that most of the money goes to fix potholes and rebuild crumbling roads, bridges and public transportation.  Whether that is taking place is the subject for another time.  

In 2018, Proposition 6 was on the ballot to get rid of the gas tax with a YES vote.  Voters could keep the gas tax with a NO vote.  Guess what?  Proposition 6 failed at the ballot, so we still have the gas tax increase every year.  IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE GAS TAX, IT'S THE VOTERS YOU SHOULD BE UPSET WITH.  THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET RID OF THE TAX, AND VOTED TO KEEP IT.

So, to be clear.  Gavin Newsome didn't increase the California gas tax in July, 2021.  It was raised because of SB1, passed in 2017.  When voters had an opportunity in 2018 to get rid of the gas tax, they declined.

Please, when you listen to ads, on both sides, check the facts and figures.  You already know it, but ads do not always tell the truth.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but no their own facts.

An Easy Breakfast Treat: Baked Eggs

 Why do we save our best recipes for company?  Don't we deserve to eat great meals every day?  Especially when you are single and mostly cooking for one, it's easy to get in the habit of just throwing a meal together.  I decided I'm worth the extra effort to make a great meal for just myself, so I have started making wonderful breakfasts for myself on Sunday's.  A few weeks ago I made a magnificent dutch baby pancake with homemade blueberry compote.  This morning I made baked eggs with cream, feta and tomatoes.  I was so easy.  It took about 20 minutes, which included 15 minutes of cooking time.

                                                                 Baked Eggs

1 egg

1Tablespoon heavy cream

Salt and Pepper

Toppings:  I used feta cheese and chopped tomatoes.  Other options are lox and onions chopped up, mushroom and cheddar cheese.  Or, make up any combination that appeals to you.

Take a small ramekin and spray it with cooking spray, then crack one egg into the ramekin.  Salt and pepper the egg, then add cream.  (you might want a little extra cream).  Add your toppings.

Place ramekins in a water bath (water should be boiling) about half way up,  cover lightly with foil, and cook at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.  Do not overcook the eggs, make sure they are still a bit runny.

Remove and enjoy with an English muffin or toast.  With a strong cup of coffee, this was a delicious breakfast.  Those of us who live alone should remember that we shouldn't just save our good meals for company.  We deserve to eat great food every day!  

There's A New Hotel In Town

 The Hyatt Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas is the latest 5 star resort in North County San Diego.  Its interior is minimalist, with art by Brian Szymanski (surfboard inspired) adorning the walls throughout.  There is an art wall with local artists works on a rotating basis.  When I was there we saw the work of Aaron Chang.

The rooms start at $650.  Breakfast or lunch for three is around $100.  Parking is pricey too.  I guess if you go there, just enjoy yourself and don't look at the price tag.  The pool area is beautiful, with separate cabanas for those that want to spend the extra money for more privacy.  

We went for breakfast.  The menu, too, is minimal.  In fact there are only about four choices on the breakfast menu, a few more for lunch.  Much of the food is Latin inspired.  I found the food ordinary.  Not worth the price, but the atmosphere was lovely, the help is friendly but not terribly efficient.  The hotel has been open a few months so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.  They are still working out the kinks.  

There is no transportation down the steep hill for beach access.  That's a negative for me.  I can only imagine schelping two children and toys up and down the hill to the beach.  I guess most guests will use the pool.

As usual, Hyatt has down a magnificent job on the hotel.  The rooms are beautifully appointed, the spa is gorgeous, as are all the common areas of the hotel.  It's worth a trip to see the hotel.  There is a nice bar on the 2nd floor, so maybe it's best to go for drinks to check it out.  I hope you get a chance to see it.

Vive la France: L'Attelier de Paris

 If I had to pick a favorite type of food, it just might be French.  There really isn't much to choose from in North County, except a few very expensive French restaurants in Carlsbad, and they're only open for dinner.   A new casual French bistro opened in Encinitas  that has become a neighborhood favorite.  You go up to the counter to order, then the waitstaff brings food to your table.  

L'attelier has such a wide selection of items, I was skeptical about the quality.  They surprised me.  A breakfast sandwich with perfectly cooked scrambled eggs, plus brie cheese and avocado, was enough to split.  On the side were wonderful red roasted potatoes with herbs.  Perfection.  I had an apple and brie sandwich with walnuts on a baguette, and a side salad.  So good.  Coffee was good and strong, and the pastries were mouth watering.  We got a puff pastry dessert, layered with custard, then topped with almonds and powdered sugar.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The restaurant was started by two young Belgian men who met in Europe, and wanted to bring a taste of their homeland to Southern California.  They have fulfilled their mission.

The menu includes all the regular items you would expect to see on a French menu, from omelettes and quiches, to crepes, sandwiches such as Croque Madame and Monsieur, and salads.  If you're in the area of El Camino Real and Encinitas Blvd, be sure and stop in.  You won't be disappointed.  Whatever you do, don't leave without trying a pastry or some baked goods.

What Is The Lewis Registry?

 The LEWIS Registry, Law Enforcement Work Inquiry System, is named after Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights icon, who passed away last year.  The registry is intended to hold police and their departments accountable for whom they hire and build trust among the public that bad apples will not be recycled from agency to agency.

The registry will provide transparency for the public and help police departments decide which officers to hire and which to potentially avoid.  "The goal is to make it simple for the public to be able to see everything that's publicly known," said Salinas.  The registry will give the public a database that names officers who have ben fired or resigned from a law enforcement agency.  It also intends to help law enforcement agencies make better hiring decisions by collecting statistics that will be walled-off with in depth statistics intended for analytics.  

The registry is the product of the University of Southern California's Safe Communities Institute and was co-founded by SCI Director Dr. Erroll Southers and Dr. Guez Salinas.  Many police departments around the nation look forward to using this tool to keep their police departments the best they can be.  I think it's a fantastic tool from which both the public and law enforcement will benefit.