A Night of Dance

 Alvin Ailey was born in Rogers, Texas, in 1931.  His life growing up in rural Texas would later inspire some of his most memorable works.  Alvin was introduced to dance in Los Angeles.  In 1958 he founded Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to carry out his vision of a company dedicated to enriching the American modern dance heritage and preserving the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience.  Mr. Ailey was a pioneer of programs promoting arts education, particularly those benefiting underserved communities.  He received many awards during his lifetime, including the Kennedy Center Honor in 1988, and in 2014, posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

I was lucky to join my Mom, Barbara, and Regina at the Dorothy Chandler Theater in Los Angeles for a performance of the Alvin Ailey Dance Group.  What a magical night.  Wow, is all I can say.  The evening flew by, and when Revelations, their signature closing number came on, I could hardly believe the night was over.  It was such a treat.  

Today, there are many components to the Alvin Ailey Dance Group, including education, performance, and good will ambassador.  The company travels the world giving others the opportunity to see this uniquely American form of dance.  If you get an opportunity to see them, do you yourself a favor and go.

Fire Stick (Or Pencila) Cactus Is Poisonous

Actually, the firestick plant is not a cactus.  It is toxic to humans and dogs, so beware.  It's a member of the euphorbial family, which has a corrosive sap.  It is a milky white substance that may cause irritation of the mouth and stomach, accompanied by pain and diarrhea when ingested.   It should not be planted in gardens where children or dogs live.

It's a beautiful plant, but do not touch.  If you break off a piece of the plant, a white milky substance will ooze out, and when touched, can create a rash and much more.  It causes temporary blindness in dogs that get it in their eyes.  My friend's dog became permanently blind 24 hours after ingesting the sap from the firestick plant.

I've always known about its toxic properties for people, but I just recently learned what it can do to dogs.  My dog is nosey, and if that plant were in my yard, he'd definitely want to sniff and possibly bite it.  Keep your dogs away from this dangerous plant.

What Is White Nose Syndrome?

 White nose syndrome has killed over 90% of northern long-eared, little brown and tri colored bat populations in fewer than 10 years.  There have also been declines in Indiana bat and big brown bat populations.  The findings underscore the severity of white-nose syndrome on hibernating bats in North America.  This is a devastating deadly fungal disease.  The impacts of white-nose syndrome on bat poulations have been swift and severe.  It affects hibernting bats and is caused by an invasive, cold-loving fungus.  The fungus grows on bats' skin, disturbing their hibernation, resulting in dehydration, starvation and often death.  The disease has been confirmed in 12 North American bat species.  

The severity of the impact of this disease on bat populations is staggering.  Nine out of 10 bats of the most vulnerable species are now gone.  Bats are essential to our ecosystems.  If you've ever been to Carlsbad Caverns or another bat cave and watched the bats exit the cave at dusk, you realize their importance.  They are out hunting insects and small mammals at night, and are vitally important in maintaining the balance of nature.  

Bats may not be the cutest mammal on the planet, but they are of vital importance in keeping the insect population under control.  At this time there is no known cure for white-nose syndrome.  Bats eat insects and are critical pest controllers.  It is estimated that in the U.S. alone, bats save farmers at least $3.7 billion per year in pest control services.

The Senator With All The Power: Joe Mansion

 I was listening to a recent podcast about Joe Mansion.  When and how he got such power, and how he has profited from his connection to the coal industry.  Here are some of the takeaways from a most interesting report.  

Joe Mansion has long time ties to the coal industry with give him an income of $500,000 per year from coal brokerage.  He makes three times as much from his coal interests as he does from his salary as a senator.  Mansion used his connections to enrich himself.  Beginning in the 1980's when he was just a state senator, he was well connected.  He took advantage of the business opportunities that came his way, specifically two developers from Pennsylvania with whom he partnered with in the waste coal industry.  Waste coal is like garbage, but it could be burned to make electricity (it's called GOB).  Mansion was important in the business because he could solve the environmental hurdles, get them through the red tape.

Mansion helped them set up and provide services for a power plant.  It is illegal for Mansion to be in business with a power plant, yet he was making money from the power plant (1% of gross revenue) from burning waste coal.  

Mansion used his influences as a state lawmaker to pass a tax credit.  There is a direct line from Mansion to the power plant getting more money (when he was governor) for electricity.  These higher power rates for West Virginia benefited Mansion.

The Grant Town Power Plant, which he has an interest in has had decisions made regarding it while he has been in the senate.  Mansion has opposed new rules from the EPA cracking down on mercury.  The amount of waste coal coming from his company increased dramatically during his years in the senate.

Who owns Grant Town?  It's a deeply layered company, with holding companies like Edison International, NRG, and Sumitomo all having interests in the power plant.  Mansion's potential conflict of interest grew as time went on.  Mansion sponsored bills that would help his company.  Of course there's no clearcut  knowledge as to why he did what he did, but here we are.  Is he protecting the coal industry?  Is he protecting his own financial interests?  Draw your own conclusions.

Sometimes Old Recipes Are The Best

 I was in the market recently and saw Japanese eggplant, a vegetable I probably haven't bought in at least 20 years.  I was reminded of a recipe I made with Japanese eggplant, so I bought one.  It was back in the 1990's in LA that I first discovered this recipe.  I used to make it all the time, and eat it as a snack.  I had a large garden in my yard in Brentwood, and I grew Japanese eggplant.  With an abundance of the vegetable, I used to make it all the time.  You're going to love it if you like Asian flavors.  Here it is.

                                                           Japanese Eggplant Appetizer, Asian Style

1 1/2 lb  Japanese eggplant

1 T. oil (I omitted it)

1 T. minced garlic (I used two large cloves)

1T. fresh ginger (I used about 2 T.)

3 T. soy sauce

2 T. red wine vinegar

2 tsp sugar (I used Stevia)

1 T. sesame oil

1 tsp chili paste (optional, use as you like)

Cut eggplant into long, thin strips.  I halved the eggplant, then cut into 1/2 inch long slices.  Put in steamer and cover and steam for 30 minutes.  I only steamed for about 20 minutes.  You want the eggplant cooked, the white gone, but not too mushy.  

While eggplant is cooking, combine all ingredients into a sauce.  You can tweak it to your own taste.  I made it spicy.  I used 2 tsp of a product called Spicy Chili Crisp.  If you don't like spice, just omit.  

Pour the sauce over the cooked eggplant and let it cool.  Refrigerate, but it is better served at room temp, so take it out an hour before serving.  Serve with crackers or small slices of crusty bread.  

Each serving is about 1 WW point.  I like a spoonful of it as a quick snack.  Enjoy.

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What Do You Know About China's Social Credit System

Cameras are everywhere in major cities today, keeping track of what people are doing, but in China it has reached a higher level.  The over 200 million cameras installed by the Chinese are mean to help control the population.  The Chinese social credit system is intended to report on the trustworthiness of individuals, corporations and governmental entities across China.  Here are a few key points.

1.  The goal of the China social credit system is to provide  an assessment of an individual's, or company's trustworthiness.

2.  The China social credit system is an extension of already existing rankings and ratings in China which have existed for years.

3.  The consequences of a poor social credit score could be serious.  It may affect one's ability to travel, employment, access to finance, and the ability to enter into contracts.

In 2018 Mike Pence sounded the alarm bells about China's social credit system, stating "China's rulers aim to implement an Orwellian system premised on controlling virtually every facet of human life."

Basically, the Chinese want to squelch dissent.  Cameras are used to watch you.  They watch who you talk to, where you go, what you do, and your online activity.  Points are deducted for things like j walking, walking your dog without a leash, whether you pay your taxes or not.  The data is acquired and used to add individuals or corporations to lists, some public, some not.  Based on your credit score, you are either punished or rewarded.

Blacklists exist for corporations, and if your company is on one, your company is heavily distrusted.  Your company will have trouble hiring people, and will be subject to more and unnecessary inspections.  On the contrary, if you are a good citizen, you will face streamlined administrative procedures, fewer inspections and audits, and fast tracked approvals.

The ultimate goal is control.  Keep the citizens compliant, keep them from discussing any thoughts or ideas contrary to Chinese government policy.  It's a scary thought.  The Chinese social credit system is a work in progress, and it appears will only become more restrictive over time.

Are Recycled Materials Actually Recycled?

Do you diligently separate your trash?  Plastic, paper  and aluminum in one container?  Food remnants in another container?  Grass and plant items in another?  We've been told that we are helping the environment by separating everything, so that the items can be sent to the proper place for recycling.  Well, folks, it really doesn't work that way.

Here are some numbers that may surprise you.  9% of plastic is actually being recycled.  85% of single use plastics in California do not get recycled.  They end up in the landfill.  10% of the global plastic production are thermoset plastics, which when exposed to heat, instead of melting, are combusting, making them impossible to recycle.  

Contamination can prevent large batches of material from being recycled.  China used to take our waste, but not so any more due in part to the trade war.  China said most of the plastic was garbage and too dirty to recycle.  Countries like Vietnam, Turkey, Malaysia and Senegal still take our waste.

  Municipalities are forced to deal with their own trash instead of exporting it.  Fact is, much of this plastic is completely unrecyclable.  The class of plastic that people have traditionally been told to put in the recycle bin, clamshell style food packaging, cold drink cups and black plastic trays are not saleable.  Nobody wants to buy mixed plastic.  

Are you shocked by this?  I'm not.  Just disappointed that the government is trying to make us feel like we are making a difference and helping the climate, when in fact, in reality all the trash is dumped in the landfill.  This is an oversimplification because there is some recycling going on, but not to the extent that we are led to believe.  What can we do about this?  I have no idea. 

Don't Fall, Especially If You're A Woman

 While recovering from a broken wrist in February and March (and April and May), one thing stood out.  Most of the people that I saw or heard about who had broken their wrist were women.  Once women reach middle age they are increasingly more likely to break their wrists than men.  The rate of fractures climbs dramatically as women age.  Until age 40, wrist breakage is similar for men and women, at about 75 per 10,000.  Over 40, men's rates of wrist breakage stay just about the same, all the way into the late 80's.  By contrast.  At 59, women break their wrist about 110 per 10,000.  at age 69, women break their wrist 290 times per 10,000, and at79 women break their wrist at a rate of 520 per 10,000.  Wow!  

The even worse news (for me anyway) is that following wrist fracture, the risk of a hip fracture increases by 14 times in females.  Also, females over the age of 65 years have a substantially elevated risk of depression following fractures.  Elderly females with wrist fractures also report reduced quality of life due to fear of falling.  Elderly females with wrist fracture are 50% more likely to experience functional decline in important daily tasks.  This is bad news for women.  

I find the recovery from my wrist fracture very slow, much slower than what I was told by the doctor.  I do feel I will be back to golf at a similar level to pre wrist break, but I am concerned about pickleball.  Yes, I have concerns about falling, and will not return to I feel comfortable.  My philosophy of life is that this is all there is, and to deny doing something I love because of a fear of falling is not me.  I could fall today stepping off the curb, or tripping over a sprinkler.  I will not give up doing the things I love because of fear, assuming I am healthy.  

The question I have is this.  Why do women have a greater chance of breaking bones?  I guess that's a question for another blog.  

Electric Batteries Need Congo Resources

Early in the 21st century China started buying up mineral and metal contracts with countries around the world.  We were interested in Iraq and other national issues, and missed the boat.  China now controls a huge percentage of minerals and metals that are vital to battery production.  This means that they have great leverage over us, regarding the supply chain.  If they decide to slow it down, they can.  Let's look at what's happened in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Since Congo locals became aware of the value of cobalt, a metal critical for advanced technologies, they have become mining it, similar to how those seeking gold in California did.  The earth is soft, and cobalt can be removed with just a shovel.  Locals dig it, put it in bags, and take it be weighed and analyzed as to its purity.  They are being cheated, and are not given full price for their cobalt.  Meanwhile, over the last 2 decades, China has been buying up most of the cobalt mines in Congo.  At present, they own 15 of the 19 mines in the country. The DRC contains about 70% of the earth's cobalt resources.

Both Obama and Trump stood aside and did not try to reduce America's dependence on critical moments.  China stepped up and took control.  Now we need these minerals and metals to go forward with electric cars and other clean energy efforts.  Nixon recognized the importance of the natural resources of Congo back in the 1970's, when he wooed Mobuto.  He sent him  C-130 Hercules transport, filled with $60,000 worth of Coca-Cola and gave him use of a C-130 upholstered in leopard skin for his own personal use.  The deal went sour.  China stepped up and bought mineral and metal rights while we were focused on other issues.

There's so much more to this story.  Child labor, fraud, Chinese dominance of worldwide metals and minerals due to strategic alliances, some made years ago.  But things in Congo may change.  One of the largest cobalt mines is owned by China Molybdeum.  A court ruling has just suspended them from control of the mine for 6 months, which may end in Americans gaining control of the mine.  This would be a step in the right direction. 

The whole issue of minerals and metals, so important for the future of climate control, must be examined.  There is much written on the subject, which you may be interested in researching.  If you know nothing else, know how important cobalt is in the production of all electric batteries, and at the present, we are dependent on China to keep it available.

So Much To See Around Miracle Mile

 I was in LA in late March to spend some time with my son Phil and his family.  One of the things they wanted to do was visit the La Brea Tar Pits.  I hadn't been there since the 1980's during my teaching days.  I have bad memories of my last visit there.  I was there on a field trip with a third grade class.  We had finished visiting the museum, and were sitting on a grassy hill having lunch.  One of my students was stung by a bee.  Little did I know, he was allergic, and in minutes, I knew he needed medical help.  I had 33 students and one assistant to help me.  I'm running to the museum to get medical help, leaving 33 rambunctious  9 year olds on the grass.  What a nightmare.  The boy was ok, and all children were too.

The Tar Pits are a great place to visit, especially on a sunny day, as lots of the exhibits are outside.  There are many other museums to see in the area, all of which I highly recommend.  

La Brea Tar Pits

Holocaust Museum

LACMA

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Petersen Automotive

Craft Contemporary

Next time you're in LA, visit one or more of these Miracle Mile museums.  So much to see. You won't be disappointed in any of them.  The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is new, and is still a work in progress.  It has room for improvement, but it does have a great restaurant for lunch, Fanny's.  Make a reservation.  Have fun in LA!!

Covid Restrictions Are Practically Gone

 I just did a state by state check of  Covid-19 status.  Are masks still required?  Is distancing required?  Are large gatherings limited?  The answer to all these questions is NO.  Masks are no longer required at all, for anyone, in most of the 50 states.  There are a few states like California, New York, Hawaii and Washington that still require masks in senior living facilities, hospitals, or convalescent homes.  Masks for school age children, of all ages, ended everywhere by the end of March.  Employers will almost universally not require or be allowed to require proof of vaccination.  So what does all this mean?

First, it means cases of new Covid-19 infection have gone down dramatically and it means less people are dying from Covid-19.  Less people are dying because we now have drugs that, if administered early, will make symptoms of Covid-19 less severe.  This is all great, but don't be fooled.  People are still getting Covid-19.  It is highly contagious.

My son Phil and his family recently went to Disneyland and Los Angeles on what was supposed to be a big, wonderful trip.  They would go to Disneyland, visit great grandma in LA, grandma in San Diego (me), brother Brian and family in Woodland Hills, and lots of old high school friends.  Well, it didn't happen that way.  Lennon, age 12 tested positive for Covid-19 on the end of their first day at Disneyland.  That was the end of most everything.  They went to their Air B and B in Venice, and spent the next week there.  Lennon could not come near anyone for 5 days, then he could go out with a mask.  They made the best of it, taking walks on the beach, playing in the surf, and bike riding, but it wasn't what they had planned.

Lennon's middle school in Boulder, Colorado, had lifted their mask mandate 3 weeks before spring break.  He got Covid, as did half of his class!!!  A 15 minute encounter at close distance can get you sick.  Lennon's family was at Disneyland, sharing a suite at the hotel, with Deborah's (my daughter in law) sister and family.  It just took that one day for Lesley, Deborah's sister, to come down with Covid-19 too.  

Don't get drawn into thinking you can't get Covid-19 anymore.  When you're in a situation that makes you uncomfortable, put on the mask.  Let's all stay safe.  It looks like Covid-19 is in the back view mirror, but it could lurk it's dirty little head at anytime.  

Take The Rubber Band Off When You Go To Pasjoli

 Ron used to have a phrase when he was willing to spend a lot of money and didn't care what something cost.  He would say, "The rubber band is off."  Well, if you are lucky enough to be able to afford to eat at Pasjoli, on Main Street in Santa Monica, don't think about the price.  Just enjoy.

Phil, Deborah and I went to Pasjoli for an extraordinary dinner one night on their spring break vacation in Southern California.  Phil had heard it was great, but I'm not sure he was prepared for the price.  Well, we just sat back, enjoyed a glass of wine, and then some exceptional food. 

It's hard to explain had good it was.  I was expecting small portions, due to the fact that it was French food.  I was surprised with good sized portions.  Just a few of the dishes we enjoyed (we shared everything so we could try everything)included rillettes de canard.  The picture shows what it looks like.  It's a slice of brioche, lightly toasted, with a delicious, silky smooth pate in the center, topped with shaved truffles, then served with truffle jam.  Another great dish was an herbed crepe stuffed with crab, onion soubise and scallion.  The chocolate souffle with vanilla ice cream for dessert was also wonderful.

You can check out their menu online.  Outdoor or indoor dining, indoor requiring proof of vaccination.  The service is exceptional.  Every detail of each dish is explained.  If you have the opportunity, go.

Try Romanesco

I had seen romanesco on the menu many times, but never knew what it was.  I thought it was a red sauce used in Italian cooking.  It may be that, but it is also a wonderful, cruciferous vegetable that I had for the first time at Gijlina Restaurant, in Santa Monica in March.  It was on the menu in the vegetable section, so I asked what it was, and am so glad I did.

Romanesco was first harvested in Italy in the 15th century.  It wasn't until the 20th century that romanesco found it's way to the U.S.  It  was until recently that it began popping up on American menus.  It's called Roman cauliflower or Romanesco broccoli.  It's in the Brassica genus, like Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale.  It is not a hybrid of cauliflower and broccoli, yet it resembles both.  When cooked (don't overcook it), it's got an earthy, nutty flavor.

The vegetable is high in vitamin C and carotenoid lutein, fights off free radicals, improves blood circulation, and contains 280 milligrams of potassium per serving, plus vitamin K.

Gijlina is a popular restaurant on Abbott Kinney in Santa Monica.  It's great for everyone, but especially vegetarians, as they have a whole menu section on vegetables.  We ordered the broccolini, which was fantastic, and romanesco.  The romanesco was prepared with tomatoes, capers, fresno chilis, and olive oil.  I just loved it, and the leftovers the next day were delicious.

Try it.  Buy it and cook at home (if you can find it.  You might have to go to Whole Foods).  Or, look for it on the menu and order it.  You will be pleasantly surprised.  It's just another of the never ending wonderful choices farmers are giving us.