Take Down The Confederate Flag!

Taking down the confederate flag is a necessary step toward racial harmony, but that alone is not going to change what's in the hearts of those that hate.  Changing people's long held beliefs doesn't happen overnight.  It takes generations.  Many haters have been taught to hate by their parents.  It's a difficult chain to break.  I don't know if Dylan Roof's parents contributed to his beliefs or not.  Much of what he ranted about was learned through hate groups and on line sites that he followed.  From what I see, racism is alive and well in the USA.  We need to start having honest conversations with each other about this very important problem.  Schools, parents, churches, coaches and community leaders need to bring people together.  That's where we have to start.

I'm not sure anyone could have stopped Dylan Roof.  Gun control laws may have prevented him from purchasing the gun due to his prior record.  Background checks will help some.  How about Walmart discontinuing the sale of assault rifles?  That might help too, but I don't expect that to happen.  We need to get rid of the hate in people's hearts, and the rest will follow.  Taking down flags, restricting the sale of guns, and having background checks to buy guns will all help, but the fact of the matter is that America is a violent society.  We have far more mass murders than any other civilized society.  Why that is so, no one really knows.  I have some thoughts on that, but I'll save that for another day.

For now, to quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"

Have You Tried Uber?

In my never ending quest to keep up with the younger crowd, I decided I had to try Uber.  If I don't keep current on the latest technological gadgets and new trends, I  feel "out of the loop" when talking to my children and grandchildren.  On Saturday morning Fran and I decided to take an Uber from Encinitas to Cardiff, have lunch, and walk home.

In case you're really out of the loop, Uber is a relatively new company that has become major competition for  the taxi.  Each Uber car is an independent contractor.  Drivers operate their own car, have their own insurance (Uber has a big policy too to cover the driver if necessary), work their own hours, and keep 80% of the fare.  When you call for an Uber on your smart phone, a picture of the driver and the type of car he or she drives, is sent to your phone.  Also, the distance the driver is from you is also displayed.  You can send a message to the driver, like telling him how recognize you, if you're in a very crowded area.  Most wait times for Uber are from 1-8 minutes.

We called for an Uber, told the driver we were in front of Starbucks, and in less than two minutes she was right in front of us.  She drove a late model car that was spotless, inside and out.  We chatted with her, and found out she's a single mom, and works for Uber during the day only.  She has a young child, so she works while her daughter is in school.  The most lucrative work hours are at night, after young men and women are coming home from a bar or dinner.  We arrived at our destination in less than five minutes.  The fare was already pre paid (my credit card was in the Uber app), and for $6.80 including tip, it was a great experience.

Most Uber fares are less than those of traditional taxis.  The exception to this is when there is a big event, like a concert, and there are more people asking for Uber than there are cars.  It's a matter of supply and demand.  If more people want an Uber than there are cars in the area, the price goes up.  Normally prices are very reasonable.

Right now most Uber users are under 50.  Many businessmen and women use them for work, instead of renting a car or using a taxi.  Also, younger men and women use them, especially for nights out when they want to drink.  I see a big market for seniors, which hasn't been tapped.  Seniors that no longer drive, or don't want to drive at night should be using Uber.  If three senior women want to go to dinner together, they might consider an Uber.  When you split the cost three ways, it's downright cheap.  Anyway, Fran and I loved our little experiment, and we will use it again under the right circumstances.  Cynthia, our Uber driver gave us such a positive first experience, that we both can't wait to try it again.  It's something to think about, as an alternative to staying home or using an expensive taxi.

Heatherwick Studios:Innovation You Won't Believe

While in LA recently to take care of my grandson Calvin, my mom and I visited the Hammer Museum in Westwood. 

Known worldwide for its cutting edge exhibits, the design exhibit from the studios of Heatherwick in London was an unexpected treat.

In 1994, Thomas Heatherwick established a studio of architecture, urban infrastructure, sculpture, design and strategic thinking.  Today a team of 160 architects and designers work in London, creating some of the most imaginative and innovative buildings, bridges, boats, parks and just about anything else you can imagine throughout the world.  The studio focuses on large scale projects throughout the world, like the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, the Olympic Cauldron for the 2012 Olympic Games, and the New Bus for London.  I encourage you to go to the Heatherwick Studio home page to view some of their fascinating projects.

The exhibit had mock ups of many of the most important projects Heatherwick has created.  Some have been developed and finished, others have not yet actually been made.  The materials are often not something you'd expect.  An aluminum bench had been made by putting aluminum through an extruding machine to create something truly unique.  Another project I loved was a table that could be pulled apart to make different shapes.  You've got to see these designs.  If anyone is going to LA before this show closes, you must see it.  The new London Bus was on display, which will replace many of the old London buses next year.  It is sleek and gorgeous, fuel efficient and quiet.  Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of the fantastic work being done by Heatherwick Studios in London.

Why Things Cost So Much

I'm going to give you one perfect example of why things cost so much.  You might not believe it, but it's true.  I recently bought a beautiful coffee table from a company in New Jersey.  If you've bought anything recently, you know that most furniture come unassembled, with a notice on the box that says "Some assembly required."  In most cases the assembly required is way beyond what a typical man or woman not familiar with construction could do.  Back to the table.

The table was ordered on March 6, and arrived about 10 days later.  They shipped it FedEx, and I tracked the progress of the package through their website.  It made seven stops before it got to San Diego.  I was thinking at the time that with all that on and off the truck and so much handling, it could not possibly come in one piece.  I was right.  The glass top was cracked, and the wood base which came in a separate bubble wrapped package, had a gash in the side of it.  I did not find this out until a week later, when my contractor was here to assemble the table.  I immediately called the company to inform them of the damaged goods.  They told me that I had missed the 24 hour deadline for letting them know if a product had come damaged.  Are they kidding?  I told them I didn't open the package until my contractor arrived because of the bulky nature of the package.  After much discussion, they decided that they would make an exception to the 24 hour rule, and send me another table.  But, they wanted me to send the old table back, even though I had sent them pictures of the damage.  "What for?"  I asked.  They said they needed it back for insurance purposes.

They sent me another table, first the glass, as the base was out of stock.  It arrived in about a week.  Ron and I opened it immediately, and found it crushed into hundreds of pieces.  I called the company again, and Mark in customer service finally said that this table was not meant to be.  He also said I didn't have to send the table back!

The last piece of this experience is with FedEx.  I called them to cancel pickup, since the manufacturer finally said I could dispose of the tables, and not send them back.  However, FedEx came to the house twice to pick up the table, even though I had cancelled.  All this for a $300 table.  How can they ever make money?

Have You Tried A Cruffin?

A few years ago it was the cronut, a New York invention of a combination of donut and croissant.  Now, from San Francisco, we have the cruffin, flaky layers of sticky-sweet goodness, a sort of combination of a croissant and a muffin.  There are lines out the door, and Mr. Holmes, the owner, is already looking for new locations, possibly LA.

I have not tried it, but from visitors to the Holmes Bakehouse in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco, I hear it's a big winner.  A croissant-muffin hybrid rolled and filled with everything from coffee crème to passion fruit curd, so popular that they are usually gone within an hour of opening.  Customers line up down the block, hoping to get one of the famous cruffins before they're gone.  I can't wait to try them, either on my next trip to the Bay Area, or when then eventually open in San Diego, which from what I've heard, could happen soon.  Their slogan is "Get Baked," and I will definitely do so when I get the chance.

I did hear recently that an ex employee had stolen the sacred recipe, so there may be some copycats out there soon.  At $5 each they're on the pricey side, but from what I've been told, worth it.  Anyone had one?

Hot Spaghetti Squash Salad

I'm always looking for ways to lighten up a meal, and one of the best ways is to substitute spaghetti squash, zucchini pasta or Shirataki noodles for pasta.  It will cut your calories in half.  Here's a recipe for lunch or dinner that is low in calories, high in vegetables, and absolutely delicious.  I made it with spaghetti squash, but would love to try it with zucchini noodles. Enjoy.

                                                      Hot Spaghetti Squash Salad

            One 4-pound spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeds scraped

1. 1 cup sliced almonds (3 ounces)
2. 1/2 cup chopped pitted green olives
3. 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallion whites
4. 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
5. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
6. 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil
7. 2 ounces Greek feta, crumbled ( 1/4 cup)
8. Salt and pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spaghetti squash and cook until it is al dente, about 12 minutes; drain. Place the spaghetti squash halves cut side down on a rack and let cool for 15 minutes.  You can also cook the spaghetti  squash in the microwave according to the directions on the squash.
2. Meanwhile, spread the sliced almonds on a  plate and toast them in the oven for about 7 minutes, until lightly brown. In a mini food processor, combine the chopped olives with the sliced scallions, lemon zest, lemon juice and canola oil and pulse until finely chopped.
3. Working over a medium bowl and using a fork, scrape the spaghetti squash into the bowl, separating the strands. Add the dressing along with the crumbled feta and toasted almonds and season with salt and pepper. Toss the spaghetti squash salad and serve warm.

 

         One Serving 238 cal, 19 gm fat, 2.5 gm sat fat, 16 gm carb, 4.4 gm fiber.

The History Of Women Firefighters

50 years ago women did not grow up being told they could be anything they wanted.  Parents did not encourage little girls to be firefighters, policewomen, combat fighters, truck drivers or any other profession formerly occupied by women only.  How things have changed.  During WW11 many women were recruited to drive trucks, but combat and any job involving physical strength was thought to be too difficult for a woman.

In 1974 Judy Brewer, in Arlington, Virginia, became the first career firefighter in the United States.  States like California, Washington, and New York followed suit within the next few years, but it was a battle.  I was in a ballet barre class recently where the instructor was talking about her neighbor, one of the first woman firefighters in San Diego.  Her name is Wendy, but in order to sit for the written exam, she had to register as Wendall.  If they had known she was a girl before she actually showed up, she would not have been allowed to take the test.  In the early days of women firefighters men expressed concerns that the women might not "have their backs" in an emergency.  The physical requirements for strength and agility are the same for women as they are for men, and through the years men have, by and large, accepted women as equals.

In the early years, the 1970's and 1980's, there was a great deal of discrimination and harassment by men who had women in their firehouse.  Through training and experience, most men have come to accept women as firefighters.  I have a friend who has relative that even became fire chief in a small town in Southern California, but not without a lot of years proving herself.  I think she had to be so much better than any of the other candidates to get a position like that!

Today women work alongside men in combat, police and fire.  It's great to see that the glass ceiling has been broken in this field.  Women cadets at the military academies are commonplace, but not without years of struggle to be accepted.  Those women are tough.  I admire their dedication and their ability to stick with the program.  In our city of San Diego, we have a woman police chief.  Women are breaking glass ceilings everywhere?  Will a woman president be next?