Saturday, October 30, 2010
Terranea
While I am no longer a big meat eater, I do enjoy it occassionally - which lead me to enjoy a recent Happy Hour and select an appetizer that Pork Sliders - wow - amazingly good - the shredded pork I love with coleslaw in a mini Hawaiian bun. The rich meat, in a sweet bun with coleslaw that was crisp, and fresh was the perfect combo. You could enjoy this and nothing else for dinner - while it's not exactly spa cuisine, it is not overfilling. just right.
Highly recommend both - but now I think Happy Hour with the $4 beer and my new favorite - the $7 sliders.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
You Need to Know: Katherine Wagner
Friday, July 30, 2010
These are the songs she remembers singing during World War II when she was a little girl.
I actually remember her singing some of these songs growing up although I can't recall the occassion.
It's great to see something positive being done for our troops who so much to our country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MtdIO23MKM
Friday, June 4, 2010
BP oil spill
My response to Daniel Henninger's comment, "This is the year Americans joined the real world of energy costs. Now someone needs to explain to them why we -- and we alone -- are sitting on an ocean of energy but we won't drill for it," is simply one word: Good. Good that we won't drill. If Mr. Henninger needs an explanation, then surely his mind has been affected by the asphalt jungle. As a resident of Palos Verdes in Southern California, I walk the coastline daily. It is one of the most inspiring, uplifting, calming, rejuvenating experiences one can enjoy. To roll the dice on more drilling is foolhardy. We shouldn't be consuming so much oil anyhow. Our dependence on oil causes wars, damages the environment and fuels the fires of economic downturns like the one we are facing now. When "How much does it take to fill up your gas tank?" is the most common question asked these days, it's time to get our heads on straight. No to Mr. Henninger's mantra of drill, drill, drill.
My thoughts now...
In 2008, I responded to an article on offshore drilling. I was opposed. One respondent felt drilling was a God-given right. “Even the cavemen used or consumed their God-given resources. If they didn't, where would we be today?” What kind of thought process is that? In light of the worst environmental disaster in US history, God given resources includes 1) health (i.e. the well-being of the BP clean-up workers), 2) commerce (such as tourism and fishing industries) and 3) the stewardship of delicate eco-systems (wetlands, coastline and sandy beaches, et al).
It’s not about oil. God-given resources are about choices. Deep water drilling without disaster and mitigation planning lacks common sense. It is greedy. Fines are a slap on the wrist.
Let’s start levying penalties directly correlating to profits. Oil companies will stop viewing safety and environmental violations as an acceptable way of doing business.
While we are stymied on the current disaster, it is noteworthy to add that other countries are leap years ahead of us in alternative energy and energy conservation. Let’s get America moving in the right direction and not get further mired in oil like the floundering, dying state birds of Louisiana.
Some lessons are learned the hard way.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Grey Whale Spotted
Here's info on the
Point Vicente Interpretive Center:
This beautiful park, located adjacent to the Pt. Vicente Lighthouse, offers recreational and educational opportunities to the public..The Interpretive Center opened in 1984 with a mission to present and interpret the unique features and history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The almost 10, 000 square foot newly expanded Interpretive Center, re-opened on July 15, 2006, features exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Peninsula, with a special emphasis on the Pacific gray whale. This premier whale watch site provides spectacular opportunities to view the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale, from December through April.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Who to donate to, to help Haiti?
(from the Unicef website)
Five days on, UNICEF and its partners are intensifying emergency operations to protect the health and safety of children at risk. One critical concern involves children who have become separated from their families and may find themselves without shelter, food, water or other basic necessities. Because children are particularly susceptible to diarrhoeal diseases, they urgently need access to safe water and proper sanitation in the immediate aftermath of disasters such as the Haiti earthquake.
VIDEO: Watch now
To help meet the needs of these and other children in Haiti – where almost half the population is under 18 years of age – UNICEF is sending supplies to the quake zone as quickly as possible. Besides supplies that were already in the country, aid is coming from UNICEF's pre-positioned regional stocks in Panama. Additional shipments are being dispatched from the agency's central warehouse in Copenhagen, Denmark.
This is what I like about Unicef - immediate and swift action.
Future donation considerations include Heifer.org - their focus is on rebuilding and self sufficiency. Catholic Relief Fund may be another - I think this is very appropos since the population is largely in Haiti, in addition to the good work they do. Doctors without Borders I will also give to, althought I did not see a special fund dedicated to Haiti.
This time, I am dependent on organizations to provide aide. I've helped with house-builds in Mexico and in Long Beach, I've soliciting donations for the Tsunami, donated time for the Red Cross but the time that I felt most useful, was when I flew myself to San Antonio to provide hands-on help at one of the shelters to the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. The feeling of contributing and of providing some level of comfort to those who have suffered devastating loss, is a gift.