There are so many new restaurants in North County San Diego, it is tough to keep up. One new place I can't wait to try is Harumama. It's ramen, sushi and dim sum. It's owned and operated by the people from Love Boat Sushi. Harumama opened last year in Little Italy and has been a big hit, so luckily they've come north to Carlsbad. Steamed buns decorated like animals is one of the most popular items. I hope to try them soon.
Jeune and Jolie (Young and Pretty), a Nouvelle French bistro opened just before Christmas on State Street. It is owned by the people from Campfire which opened several years ago, and has been a a big hit. It's on State Street in Old Carlsbad, looks fresh and inviting and contemporary. It is open for dinner only, except on the weekends it is open for lunch.
Clara opened in November. It's upstairs in the shopping center on Carlsbad Village Dr. and Coast Highway. It's 2,000 square feet, with a bar area and dining area. The menu is interesting with contemporary items and tradition food too. I would call it California Contemporary.
Wholly Crepe is a small restaurant in San Marcos serving, you guessed it, crepes. I don't know why crepes have never caught on in the U.S. as I thought they would, but I'm so happy to see this restaurant open in a strip mall at San Marcos Blvd and Rancho Santa Fe Rd, just across San Marcos High School. I will try it and report back to you.
Finally, a new WinCo just opened in Oceanside, next to Target at El Camino Real just north of Vista. I do love that store, especially their prices and their bulk food. A new donut shop will be opening soon in that shopping center. It's called Donut Bar, and it looks like something above just ordinary donuts. I will tell you more when it opens.
So, lots of new eateries for you North County people to come and try. I guess it's just a matter of time before more and more good restaurants open in Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos and Vista. Soon the new extension of Bressi Ranch will open, and that will probably have some more great new places to try.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
Cruising With A Person With A Disability
I'm beginning to consider myself an expert on traveling with a person with a disability. Ron is in a wheel chair most of the time, but that doesn't mean he wants to give up on having a good time and doing the things he's always done.
We took a wonderful cruise on Crystal in December, and with a little help, he could do just about everything he wanted. First, we brought our own wheelchair on board. Wheelchairs ship free on all airlines, so there was no added expense. Second, we found the service on Crystal superior. A bell man was available any time of day or night, to push Ron wherever he wanted to go. This freed me up to relax and give my body a rest. In less than 5 minutes Ronald, Joel or Chris was there to take Ron to the Spa, Poker, Bridge, restaurants, or the room. How wonderful. So, for those cruising with someone who is unable to walk, be sure the cruise has people available to help. Most don't, but Crystal does, and will be the only line we travel on in the future.
Here are a few observations I made about the ship. Handicapped staterooms are at the far end of the ship. This means the walk to anywhere is very long. For someone on a walker or cane this might make the distance too much for them. Why they have handicapped rooms so far away is beyond me. Also, public bathrooms (and staterooms for that matter) have extremely heavy doors. No automatic door openers. It is impossible for someone in a wheelchair to open the door alone, let alone maneuver into the handicapped stall. These matters are not well thought out and make it impossible for someone in a wheelchair to go to the restroom without help. Finally, bars in the handicapped staterooms are put in unreachable places. I wonder if disabled persons are consulted when designing staterooms and bathrooms.
The service on Crystal shined above all else, and made our trip super enjoyable. Disabled or not, anyone can enjoy a cruise today.
We took a wonderful cruise on Crystal in December, and with a little help, he could do just about everything he wanted. First, we brought our own wheelchair on board. Wheelchairs ship free on all airlines, so there was no added expense. Second, we found the service on Crystal superior. A bell man was available any time of day or night, to push Ron wherever he wanted to go. This freed me up to relax and give my body a rest. In less than 5 minutes Ronald, Joel or Chris was there to take Ron to the Spa, Poker, Bridge, restaurants, or the room. How wonderful. So, for those cruising with someone who is unable to walk, be sure the cruise has people available to help. Most don't, but Crystal does, and will be the only line we travel on in the future.
Here are a few observations I made about the ship. Handicapped staterooms are at the far end of the ship. This means the walk to anywhere is very long. For someone on a walker or cane this might make the distance too much for them. Why they have handicapped rooms so far away is beyond me. Also, public bathrooms (and staterooms for that matter) have extremely heavy doors. No automatic door openers. It is impossible for someone in a wheelchair to open the door alone, let alone maneuver into the handicapped stall. These matters are not well thought out and make it impossible for someone in a wheelchair to go to the restroom without help. Finally, bars in the handicapped staterooms are put in unreachable places. I wonder if disabled persons are consulted when designing staterooms and bathrooms.
The service on Crystal shined above all else, and made our trip super enjoyable. Disabled or not, anyone can enjoy a cruise today.
What Is The Jones Act?
I just returned from an 8 day cruise with Ron and my mom. What a wonderful time we had! Great food, service, wonderful entertainment and interesting lecturers, made this trip all I expected, and more. The cruise sailed from Los Angeles to San Francisco, then down to Puerto Vallarta, and back again to Los Angeles. One of the cruise stops was San Diego, and many passengers wanted to disembark there. They couldn't. Why? Because of the Jones Act. We didn't know what the Jones Act was, but here is Wikepedia's information on the Jones Act:
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 is a United States federal statute that provides for the promotion and maintenance of the American merchant marine.[1] Among other purposes, the law regulates maritime commerce in U.S. waters and between U.S. ports. Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act is known as the Jones Act and deals with cabotage (coastwise trade) and requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on U.S.-flag ships, constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.[2] The act was introduced by Senator Wesley Jones. The law also defines certain seaman's rights.
Laws similar to the Jones Act date to the early days of the nation. In the First Congress, on September 1, 1789, Congress enacted Chapter XI, "An Act for Registering and Clearing Vessels, Regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes", which limited domestic trades to American ships meeting certain requirements.[3] Such laws served the same purpose as – and were loosely based on – England's Navigation Acts, which were finally repealed in 1849.
I'm not sure what any of this has to do with passengers on a cruise ship, but I guess it does. In any event, we got off in Puerto Vallerta (foreign port), but others had to stay on another 6 days and get off in Los Angeles.
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 is a United States federal statute that provides for the promotion and maintenance of the American merchant marine.[1] Among other purposes, the law regulates maritime commerce in U.S. waters and between U.S. ports. Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act is known as the Jones Act and deals with cabotage (coastwise trade) and requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on U.S.-flag ships, constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.[2] The act was introduced by Senator Wesley Jones. The law also defines certain seaman's rights.
Laws similar to the Jones Act date to the early days of the nation. In the First Congress, on September 1, 1789, Congress enacted Chapter XI, "An Act for Registering and Clearing Vessels, Regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes", which limited domestic trades to American ships meeting certain requirements.[3] Such laws served the same purpose as – and were loosely based on – England's Navigation Acts, which were finally repealed in 1849.
I'm not sure what any of this has to do with passengers on a cruise ship, but I guess it does. In any event, we got off in Puerto Vallerta (foreign port), but others had to stay on another 6 days and get off in Los Angeles.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Try Din Tai Fung For A Unique Experience
Din Tai Fung began in Taipei, Taiwan in 1958 as a cooking oil retail shop. In 1972 it was transformed into a full fledged restaurant, specializing in soup, dumplings and noodles. Today, the restaurant is found in many cities in California and Washington, in addition to many Asian locations, including Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and Indonesia.
Our wait person was Phoebe, who gave us some excellent suggestions, and staggered the delivery of our food so we always had some hot food on the table. Some of the items we ordered were pan fried green beans with garlic, pork dumplings (world famous), pork bao, chicken fried rice, and my favorite, noodles with pork sauce. For dessert, we had some chocolate filled dumplings which were absolutely delicious, and taro root and mung bean baos. I love these sweet baos, but I was probably the only one that did.
The restaurant is so popular you must plan in advance and make reservations on Yelp. Otherwise, you will stand in a long line. They do take walk ins, but be prepared to wait. It is in the newly renovated UTC shopping center, and is a real standout. I highly recommend it.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
The History Of Tabasco Sauce
I was waiting for my car to be serviced, trying to read a book while the three men in the waiting room were laughing hysterically at an episode of America's Funniest Videos. I did not find it funny. The next show that came on was interesting to me. It was a short documentary about the history of Tabasco Sauce. I came and did a little more research, and here's what I found out.
Edmond McIlhenny, a Maryland born banker, who moved to Avery Island in Louisiana in 1840, is credited with creating Tabasco Sauce. His creation finally hit the market in 1868. Research by food historians creates doubt about McIlhenny actually creating the hot sauce, though. It may have been developed by a plantation owner years before McIlhenny created it.
"The story actually begins in the pre-Civil War era with a New Orleans plantation owner named Maunsel White, who was famous for the food served at his sumptuous dinner parties. Mr. White's table no doubt groaned with the region's varied fare — drawing inspiration from European, Caribbean and Cajun sources — but one of his favorite sauces was of his own devising, made from a pepper named for its origins in the Mexican state of Tabasco. White added the sauce to various dishes and bottled it for his guests. Although the McIlhennys have tried to dismiss the possibility,[2] it seems clear now that in 1849, a full two decades before Edmund McIlhenny professed to discover the Tabasco pepper, White was already growing Tabasco chilies on his plantation."[3]
Regardless of who actually created it, Tabasco Sauce continues to be one of the most popular hot sauces. The tabasco peppers were originally grown on Avery Island. Today, the peppers grown there are used to produce seed stock, and the peppers are produced around the world. The peppers are still picked by hand, a company tradition. The peppers are ripe and ready to pick when their color matches a red stick. Then, the peppers are aged up to three years, in wooden barrels that were once used to produce whiskey. After aging the peppers, they are mixed with vinegar and bottled one month later. Through the years, other sauces have been created by the McIlhenny company, using a longer aging process and different types of vinegars.
Through the years, the company is still controlled by descendents of Edmund McIlhenny, and dispite who actually created the hot sauce originally, it remains one of the most popular sauces on supermarket shelves today.
Edmond McIlhenny, a Maryland born banker, who moved to Avery Island in Louisiana in 1840, is credited with creating Tabasco Sauce. His creation finally hit the market in 1868. Research by food historians creates doubt about McIlhenny actually creating the hot sauce, though. It may have been developed by a plantation owner years before McIlhenny created it.
"The story actually begins in the pre-Civil War era with a New Orleans plantation owner named Maunsel White, who was famous for the food served at his sumptuous dinner parties. Mr. White's table no doubt groaned with the region's varied fare — drawing inspiration from European, Caribbean and Cajun sources — but one of his favorite sauces was of his own devising, made from a pepper named for its origins in the Mexican state of Tabasco. White added the sauce to various dishes and bottled it for his guests. Although the McIlhennys have tried to dismiss the possibility,[2] it seems clear now that in 1849, a full two decades before Edmund McIlhenny professed to discover the Tabasco pepper, White was already growing Tabasco chilies on his plantation."[3]
Regardless of who actually created it, Tabasco Sauce continues to be one of the most popular hot sauces. The tabasco peppers were originally grown on Avery Island. Today, the peppers grown there are used to produce seed stock, and the peppers are produced around the world. The peppers are still picked by hand, a company tradition. The peppers are ripe and ready to pick when their color matches a red stick. Then, the peppers are aged up to three years, in wooden barrels that were once used to produce whiskey. After aging the peppers, they are mixed with vinegar and bottled one month later. Through the years, other sauces have been created by the McIlhenny company, using a longer aging process and different types of vinegars.
Through the years, the company is still controlled by descendents of Edmund McIlhenny, and dispite who actually created the hot sauce originally, it remains one of the most popular sauces on supermarket shelves today.
Monday, January 21, 2019
1917 Logan Camp Mutiny, Houston Texas
In 1917, 118 black soldiers were charged with murder, mutiny, aggravated assault and disobeying orders, after a race riot in Houston. Nineteen of the soldiers wer eventually hanged.
Here's what happened. The all-black 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry, (a unit of the famed Buffalo Soldiers) was posted in Houston to guard the construction of the $2million project, Camp Logan. Houston was fully under Jim Crow, many of the soldiers had come from New Mexico where Jim Crow laws were not enforced, and thus expected equal treatment in the army, with white soldiers. However, the population of Houston insisted that segregation be upheld. The black soldiers were treated to racial abuse from construction workers on the site, and police harassement.
On August 23, 1917, the soldiers heard a rumor that Corporal Charles Baltimore had been killed by police. This turned out to be untrue, although he had been arrested and beaten for inquiring about another soldier. On hearing this, 156 soldiers appropriated rifles from stores and marched into town. Local whites armed themselves. Eventually there were four casualties among the black soldiers, with fifteen white locals killed.
This was the only race riot in the US to result in more whites being killed than blacks. The aftermath of this mutiny was brutal. 14 black soldiers were hung on December 11, 1917. 63 others were given life sentences, then the following year six more soldiers were hung. No material evidence was presented for most of the hangings and prison sentences.
Now, 100 years later, Priscilla Graham, a Houston author and historian is among those seeking to the soldiers pardoned on the basis that their arrests and trials were unjust. So far, Graham has written to Presidents Obama and Trump, but has received no reply.
Here's what happened. The all-black 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry, (a unit of the famed Buffalo Soldiers) was posted in Houston to guard the construction of the $2million project, Camp Logan. Houston was fully under Jim Crow, many of the soldiers had come from New Mexico where Jim Crow laws were not enforced, and thus expected equal treatment in the army, with white soldiers. However, the population of Houston insisted that segregation be upheld. The black soldiers were treated to racial abuse from construction workers on the site, and police harassement.
On August 23, 1917, the soldiers heard a rumor that Corporal Charles Baltimore had been killed by police. This turned out to be untrue, although he had been arrested and beaten for inquiring about another soldier. On hearing this, 156 soldiers appropriated rifles from stores and marched into town. Local whites armed themselves. Eventually there were four casualties among the black soldiers, with fifteen white locals killed.
This was the only race riot in the US to result in more whites being killed than blacks. The aftermath of this mutiny was brutal. 14 black soldiers were hung on December 11, 1917. 63 others were given life sentences, then the following year six more soldiers were hung. No material evidence was presented for most of the hangings and prison sentences.
Now, 100 years later, Priscilla Graham, a Houston author and historian is among those seeking to the soldiers pardoned on the basis that their arrests and trials were unjust. So far, Graham has written to Presidents Obama and Trump, but has received no reply.
Friday, January 18, 2019
The Fascinating Art of Fred Tomaselli
Fred Tomaselli is an American artist who grew up and started his career in the late 1970's. He was born in Santa Monica in 1956, and studied his craft at Cal State Fullerton. Drug culture interested him, and much of his early work centers around the drugs. As he expanded his horizons, he became interested in nature, the human body and birds. His work is exquisite, so intricate, so precise. He depicts abstract patterns, human figures, and forms from the
natural world into psychedelic visions and mesmerizing patterns.
Regarding the use of over-the-counter and controlled pharmaceuticals,
street drugs, and hallucinogenic drugs, Tomaselli explains, “these
chemical cocktails embedded in the paintings can no longer reach the
brain through the bloodstream and must take a different route to
altering perception. In my work, they travel to the brain through the
eyes.”
Tomaselli describes his work as a “search for transcendence.” The artist states, “art is really about perception and mine have been changed through visiting other realities.” Tomaselli’s work is highly influenced by personal life experiences and the AIDS crisis.
On a cool Saturday morning, Fran and I visited the Oceanside Museum of Art, where we visited an outstanding exhibit of the works of Fred Tomaselli. I found it so interesting to see how he has evolved, gone from collages depicting drugs and surreal scenes, to collages dealing with nature, the human body and birds. He loves birds, and has done some beautiful works of birds. If you have an opportunity to visit this exhibit in Oceanside, you will be delighted. Enjoy a nice day out at the museum, then lunch at one of the wonderful lunch spots nearby.
Tomaselli describes his work as a “search for transcendence.” The artist states, “art is really about perception and mine have been changed through visiting other realities.” Tomaselli’s work is highly influenced by personal life experiences and the AIDS crisis.
On a cool Saturday morning, Fran and I visited the Oceanside Museum of Art, where we visited an outstanding exhibit of the works of Fred Tomaselli. I found it so interesting to see how he has evolved, gone from collages depicting drugs and surreal scenes, to collages dealing with nature, the human body and birds. He loves birds, and has done some beautiful works of birds. If you have an opportunity to visit this exhibit in Oceanside, you will be delighted. Enjoy a nice day out at the museum, then lunch at one of the wonderful lunch spots nearby.
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