May 2012

Late spring marks the start of stone fruit season. (So-called because these fruits contain a single pit, or “stone.”) First come cherries and then apricots, followed by peaches, nectarines, plums, and all their various hybrids. Unlike the tasteless, mealy imports found in supermarkets, your farmers’ market carries tree-ripened, locally grown fruit—just the way nature intended. One juicy bite and you’ll be hooked. I promise.

Cherry season starts off slowly with the arrival of the Black Tartarian and Burlat; followed by the blushing yellow Royal Anne and Rainier. Sour cherries, like the Montmorency or Morello are primarily grown outside of California, and valued mostly for pies, jam, and for drying. Most agree the West’s dark, sweet, meaty Bing is the quintessential cherry, followed closely by Lamberts and Vans.

Long before it was known as a search engine, Bing was just a cherry. (And, of course, a famous crooner.) A cross between the Tartarian and Royal Anne, the Bing was developed in Oregon in 1875 by Seth Lewalling. Legend has it that because he didn’t have enough money to pay his Chinese cook’s wages, he named the new cherry after him.

Here are some helpful cherry factoids:

• Cherries should be shiny, plump, and firm.
• A green stem is an indicator of a just-picked cherry.
• Refrigerate cherries, unwashed, in an open plastic bag. It’s best to eat them within several days of purchase.
• Cherries-on-the-stem tend to last longer.
• Cherries contain vitamin C, and about 87 calories per cup.
• Cherry juice can stain your hands, so you may want to wear latex gloves—and an apron—while pitting them.
• A cherry-pitter is an inexpensive kitchen tool that makes the job a breeze. (It works a bit like a paper punch, forcing the pit out of the cherry.) Lacking one, just use the tip of a small, sharp knife.

Though not much can beat a cherry eaten out of hand, it’s fun to use them in unexpected ways. Act quickly, though, for cherry season is short but sweet…about 3 1/2 weeks, to be exact.

Spice things up: Transform pitted cherries into a zesty salsa by adding finely chopped red or green onion; minced jalapeño chile pepper; finely grated fresh ginger; coarsely chopped cilantro or mint; a tiny drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt; and fresh lemon or lime juice, to taste. Serve alongside pork or poultry; with a gooey jack cheese quesadilla; or for dipping tortilla chips.

Sweeten things up: Jazz up your favorite upside-down cake, substituting pitted fresh cherry and apricot halves for the usual canned fruit.

To preserve stemmed pitted cherries for baking year ‘round, flash-freeze them on a baking sheet until firm; then pack into freezer-safe bags or plastic containers. Use frozen.

Late Spring Fruit Salad: In a bowl, toss together stemmed, pitted, and halved cherries; cubes of ripe cantaloupe; pitted apricot halves (or quarters, if large); a pinch of salt; a splash of sweet white wine; and a few fresh mint leaves, cut into thin strips.

Salad Days: Grill a well-seasoned skirt or flank steak until nicely charred on the outside and pink in the middle. While the meat rests on a cutting board, make a mustardy balsamic vinaigrette. In a bowl, combine young arugula leaves and stemmed, pitted, and halved cherries; drizzle with just enough vinaigrette to coat lightly, and toss gently to mix. Spread the salad over a large platter. Cut the beef across the grain into thin slices and arrange on top of the salad. Top with crumbled blue or goat cheese, and a few toasted almonds. Serve with warm crusty bread.

Gilding the Lily: Add fresh cherries to your favorite chicken salad or rice pudding; layer them in trifles, or bake the classic French clafoutis. Pile fresh cherries on a cheese platter; or build an adult-ice cream sundae by first macerating cherries in kirsch, brandy, or amaretto. (Heat the fruit topping, and you’ve got Cherries Jubilee.) Or mix them into slightly-softened vanilla ice cream, with or without shards of semisweet chocolate, for a home-style take on one of the country’s favorite ice cream flavors.

For an elegant ending to a meal, rinse perfect ripe cherries and pat them dry. Working one at a time and holding each by the stem, dip the cherries in melted dark or white chocolate and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet; then refrigerate until the chocolate coating is firm. (This is an especially charming presentation for “twins”—2 cherries joined at the stem.) Just be sure to warn your guests these cherry-chocolate bonbons contain pits.)

Savoring the Moment: Forget those scary iridescent cherries sold in jars and make your own boozy ones to garnish cocktails or desserts. For each pint jar you’ll need about 1 pound of fresh cherries. Rinse them well and pat dry; pit them or not, as you like. (If you don’t pit them, prick each cherry 2 or 3 times so the liquor will penetrate the fruit.) Pack cherries into a sterilized jar, cover with bourbon, rye, brandy, kirsch, or Maraschino liqueur, and refrigerate. When all the cherries have been eaten, mix the remaining alcohol in cocktails.

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad and Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM or visit their web site at www.pcfma.com.

They can repair your vision with just one treatment and measure the distance from the Earth to the moon within a millimeter. They are in supermarket scanners and compact disc players. What are they? Lasers. Theorized by Albert Einstein in 1917 and invented in 1960, lasers have proven to be a versatile high-tech solution to many of life’s problems. Today, more and more people are learning that therapeutic doses of laser light can also relieve pain and expedite healing for a wide range of health complaints.

What is laser therapy for pain relief?
Laser therapy is the application of low levels of laser light to areas of the body that have been injured or damaged. Contrasted with high-powered lasers used in health care that cut tissue, such as surgical or hair-removal lasers, therapy lasers produce beneficial chemical and biological interactions that can help relieve pain and repair injured/damaged tissue.

How long have lasers been used by health care providers?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave market clearance to the first therapy laser in 2002. Since then, progressive chiropractors, osteopaths, medical doctors and other have been offering laser therapy to their patients in increasing numbers.

How do lasers work?
The laser light penetrates through your skin and is absorbed by special receptors on your body’s cells called chromophores. Just as photosynthesis creates energy for plants, the absorption of the laser light by your cells causes increased production of cellular energy. In areas of injury or damage, this means there is more energy available to improve the rate and quality of healing. Studies on tissue cultures reveal a wide range of beneficial physiological effects, including increased levels of endorphins, reduced levels of harmful compounds including C-reactive protein and increased rate and quality of tissue healing.

That means relief from acute and chronic pain, reduced inflammation and muscle spasms, improved range of motion and restored function. Patients suffering from headaches, neck pain, carpal tunnel, low back pain, sports injuries, post-surgical pain and more have been helped with laser therapy.

How long does it take to work?
Some patients notice improvement after the very first treatment session; with others it may take a few treatments. The effect of laser therapy is cumulative, meaning that each successive treatment builds on previous ones.

What does a treatment feel like?
With very low-powered therapy lasers, you feel nothing at all. Higher-powered (Class IV) therapy lasers produce a mild, soothing, warm feeling. Laser therapy is a painless treatment.

Are there any side effects?
Some patients may experience soreness in the area of treatment, as toxins are released and blood flow is restored. World experts on laser therapy have commented that therapeutic lasers have no undesirable side effects in the hands of a qualified therapist.

For more information about how laser therapy may be helpful to you contact Align Healing Center to set-up a free consultation with Dr. Niele Maimone (925)362-8283. Visit us on the web at AlignHealingCenter.com.

Fan voting begins this month for the Major League Baseball All Star Game to be held on July 10 in Kansas City. With the talent on the field being paid hundreds of millions of dollars in some cases, are all star games still worth the risk for owners and for fans with an emotional stake in their team’s regular season performance?

A hard foul in the NBA All Star Game highlighted players’ attitudes in these games and led some to question if hard play in an exhibition is appropriate. In the week between the NBA All Star Game and the showdown between the Miami Heat and the Lakers in Los Angeles, the primary story line was Kobe vs. Wade, as in what retribution might Dwayne Wade expect for breaking Kobe Bryant’s nose with a hard foul during the All Star exhibition.

As it turned out, the only retribution was 18 first quarter points by Bryant on the way to a game high 33 in the Lakers’ 93-83 win. Bryant wore a clear mask that looked a bit like 1970s hockey goaltender gear to protect his nose. Otherwise, the game was pretty much business as usual. Miami looked like a team at the end of an opposite coast trip missing one of its best players (Chris Bosh) playing a recent league champion experiencing a bit of an uptick. Los Angeles led nearly the entire, drama-free, game.

The Kobe vs. Wade flap occurred because many felt that Wade violated all star game etiquette by fouling Bryant hard in the All Star Game. By all accounts the resultant broken nose was accidental, but a hard foul against a player having a good game is a regular season staple. Many thought it was out of place in all star competition.

An editorial at latimes.com called the foul by Wade “inappropriate.” Bryant’s teammate and fellow all-star Andrew Bynum spoke out in Bryant’s defense after the incident.
“It was an All-Star Game,” Bynum said. “I don’t understand what that was all about. It was crazy.” Fellow Laker Pau Gasol also spoke out on Bryant’s behalf.

The Lakers’ reactions are predictable, but even Bosh seemed to think Wade was a bit more aggressive than necessary. “It was already spicy enough,” he said to NBC Sports.com. “It’ll be something to play on the reels over and over before the game…So I’m sure it will be pumped up a lot.”

The reactions of players on both sides points out a problem with All Star competition in an era when star contracts can be more than the GNP of a typical third world country. The games are played on national television in front of fans paying significant premiums for tickets. Yet, ownership and the players’ main goal seems to be to avoid injury in an exhibition with no impact on the standings.

It’s worse in sports where hitting is fundamental to the game. After this year’s Pro Bowl, which resembled a ballet in shoulder pads, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that he would look into the future of the game, and its discontinuation was not out of the question. The NHL All Star Game is a nightmare for goalies. Without any checking or hitting, a sport where a typical score might be 3-2 is turned into a free skate with recent final scores along the lines of 12-9 and 11-10. Any resemblance to a real NHL game is incidental.

Only the Major League Baseball All Star Game serves up an approximation of the real thing. The elements of the game that are missing, breaking up double plays and running over the catcher, are not as central to the competition as aggressive defense in basketball or the violent contact inherent in regular season professional football and hockey. Pitchers are still showing their best stuff and hitters are competing hard in the batters box. It may also help that the winning league earns home field advantage in the World Series.

Goodell is probably on to something when it comes to reevaluating the Pro Bowl. Its TV ratings are low and the players have no motivation to risk injury by playing the game in a way the public is used to seeing NFL competition. That game is probably on its way out.

The hockey game is the culmination of a weekend of skills competitions and is still a showcase on U.S. network television for a league that is playing catch-up with the other three major team sports. A true hockey fan can probably barely watch, but the game is not quite as bad as the Pro Bowl.

The Kobe vs. Wade incident points out the central problem of the NBA All Star Game. Someone who delivers a hard foul like Wade is vilified, and consequently the level of effort expended by all players in the game is called into question. Still, a high scoring playground-style game is somehow more fun in basketball than in hockey or football, and the game consistently delivers highlight reel content for ESPN and the NBA Network. Combine that with the slam dunk contest and all the other activities leading up to the game, and it’s hard to see the NBA making any significant changes. Ownership will just continue to hold its collective breath while its largest investments run and jump up and down the court in a game that doesn’t count.

Dizzy Dean’s career altering broken toe in 1937 and Ted Williams’ broken elbow in 1950 that probably cost the Red Sox that year’s pennant aside, the MLB All Star Game will probably continue as the model pro sports all star event. The Home Run Derby is seen by many as a great way to spend a Monday night in the summer, and now that no one believes that a Pete Rose/Ray Fosse collision at home plate will ever happen again in the All Star Game and with pitchers generally throwing only one or two innings each, the injury risk seems manageable. What fans are seeing is a realistic big league game with a star at every position. That is a tough formula to beat. Happy voting!

Q. Dandelions have invaded my lawn and are taking it over. I’ve tried pulling them up by the roots but they only come back. The spray on Dandelion Killer just wilted them a little bit. What do I do next?

A. Dandelions are generally thought of as a weed but they’re lots of positive things to say about them. They’ve been around since the tenth century and are known as the Swine’s Snout, Yellow Gowan, Irish Daisy or Peasant’s Cloak. The juice of the plant’s root is still used to treat diabetes, to build up the blood and used as a mild laxative.

During WWII, Dandelions were cultivated for the latex extracted from the roots that was then used to make rubber. The foliage is more nutritious than spinach. It’s high in vitamins A and C, and contains impressive levels of other elements. This being said, they’re still undesirable in lawns and fit the classic definition of a weed, any plant growing where it’s unwanted or undesired. The same would be true of a rose growing in a wheat field. The Dandelion is among the most recognizable of plants. It tolerates many types of soil, from loose sand to compacted clay. The yellow flower forms a puffball, which contains the seeds and is dispersed by wind or kids of all ages as they enjoy watching the feathery material float away.

You can successfully rid a grass lawn of Dandelions with a little patience. They’re controlled without herbicides by mowing the turf often to prevent the puffy seed heads from forming and dousing the plants with boiling water. However, manually digging them out is by far the most widely used method. You do not solve the problem by yanking them up or cutting off the top growth. To be successful you must remove the long taproot entirely, otherwise, they return. Many garden centers have a Weeder that is ideal for removing Dandelions. The tool looks like a long screwdriver with a ‘V’ shape end that resembles a whale’s tale. Depending on the extent of the problem, hand weeding can be a tedious task. In these cases, a selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds is a more efficient answer. The primary solutions are ‘Weed and Feed’ turf products and liquid herbicides. With ‘Weed and Feed’ products please read the instructions. All too often, applicator error is primarily the reason for poor results. They’re best applied with a drop type spreader, and not a hand held one. In addition, it’s also critical when and when not to water. There are many brands of liquid herbicides available that kill Dandelions and other broadleaf weeds. You’ll find premixed solutions or concentrates that have to be mixed up before applying. Bayer Season Long Weed Control for Lawns is one of the newest herbicide for turf. It’s unique in that it kills the existing Dandelions and then it prevents the dormant seed from germinating for six months. The nursery professional at your favorite garden center is an excellent resource to review your options and make a recommendation.

Buzz Bertolero is Executive Vice President of Navlet’s Garden Centers and a California Certified Nursery Professional. His web address is www.dirtgardener.com and you can send questions by email at dirtgarden@aol.com or to 360 Civic Drive Ste. ‘D’, Pleasant Hill, Calif. 94523.

While traveling around the back roads of most nations, one often comes across hidden jewels – those treasures scattered about like oases in a desert – that are often ignored by major tour companies. Certainly main attractions such as historical buildings and wide, expansive vistas are on the itinerary of these agencies. But some out-of-the-way, often hard-to-find sites are overlooked.

During the years, I’ve stumbled on a number of these locations which have proven to be highlights of my travels. Let me share one of my favorites with you.

We left Helsinki, Finland by ferry and headed almost due east. It took only a few hours of sailing until we found ourselves docked at the colorful wharf of Tallinn, Estonia.

Estonia is now, as it was for years before Soviet domination, a free and prosperous nation. It is the northernmost country of the three which are usually bundled together by the term “Baltic countries.” The other two are Latvia and Lithuania. It was our intention to explore these three often-overlooked nations.

We spent a few pleasant days in and around Tallinn. The people there are extremely friendly and very open, teaching us a great deal of history about this area. Interviewing a number of tourist agents we eventually negotiated a deal with one for a car and driver who spoke the various native languages as well as English. It was our hope that he/she would know the three counties well enough to give us a history lesson along with our tour. We found our match in a jolly local who drove like the wind and talked incessantly.

Our travels began south out of Tallinn, traveling mostly along the coast. Latvia was next, with again great results, including some time spent in Riga, the capital. Topography was generally flat, with agriculture and fishing carrying the load.

As our guide drove south into Lithuania, he smiled and said, ”I have a pleasant surprise ahead for you. Let me tell you the story about our next stop.”

“There is a gentle hill about twelve kilometers ahead, just outside the city of Siauliai which has been considered a holy place dating back to the early eighteen hundreds. I do not know that much of the hill’s early history, but I have been a witness to its recent past.

“Between World War I and World War II this area was invaded by the Russians and incorporated into the nation then known as the Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics. As part of the occupation, the Soviet regime discouraged any form of religious activity. The hill at that time contained a number of religious symbols, but the local Russian commander had it completely bulldozed – thereby destroying any remnants of religious life.

“One year, and I’m not sure which one, as Easter approached three white crosses appeared on the hill. In keeping with the current law, the Soviet military commander sent a squad of soldiers up to remove the religious symbols. The next morning, when he awoke, he saw not three, but three sets of three crosses. Once again, the area commander had the offensive crosses removed. And, you’ve guessed it by now! On the third day there were twenty seven crosses. Out of frustration, the commander placed a squad of soldiers on the hill overnight, but no one or nothing appeared. After several nights of this he hoped his point was made. He gave up, and removed his guards.

“The next morning almost fifty crosses as well as many flower arrangements greeted him.

“Figuring it wasn’t worth the effort, he surrendered, but we did not. Each night the display grew larger and larger. More and more crosses appeared, now taking on some artistic license. Different types of wood appeared, stone mounds and flower arrangements were added, and on and on it went.”

His story ended here, and our visit to the Mount of Crosses began. On the day we visited the site with our guide, there were almost seventy thousand such displays. Giant crucifixes, statues of the Virgin Mary, and hundreds of tiny carvings and rosaries were placed all over the hill. The Soviet Socialistic Republic has been disbanded with only Russia remaining. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as the other countries which were once under one rule, are now free. Perhaps one of the most prominent reflections of the individual spirit lives on here on this mound. By the last count, there are over one hundred thousand crosses on the hill. It has become a magnificent symbol of freedom for these people.

Off the beaten path – somewhat difficult to find – not on most tour agendas. Yet visited regularly by people of faith, including the pope and other religious leaders. A place well worth seeking out.
P.S. The three little white crosses near the stairs, at the top of the mound, are my contribution.

Crossovers are still very popular and vital to the U.S. market. A crossover is the blending of the high riding and utility of an SUV, but built on a more fuel efficient automobile platform. In an effort to add a sporty flare, Acura created the ZDX which looks like a four-door sports coupe. The advantage is sleek profile styling. The ZDX was designed, developed, and is manufactured in North America. The sculpted lines and sensuous curves were crafted by Acura’s first female designer.

At first glance you may think the Acura ZDX is the sister car to the Honda Crosstour. The truth is they are quite different and built on different platforms. The ZDX is built on the Acura MDX foundation, versus the Honda; sitting on the Accord under-belly. I suspect that buyers of the ZDX will be responding more to it on an emotional level versus a space logic. Think empty-nesters. The coupe-like rear-end takes a big bite out of your rear cargo space.

The styling from the front is big and bold with a hint of upscale chic. The face of the ZDX is aggressive with an Acura-beaked grille. Diamond-shaped headlights morph into the front fenders and a large Acura logo is framed in the grille. The ZDX features a panoramic glass roof, hidden rear door handles, and pronounced fender flares.

The 2012 Acura is available in three trim levels: Base $46,905, Technology $51,405, and Advance $57,455. All three models come with a 3.7-liter VTEC V6 that generates 300 horsepower and 270 pounds of torque and is mated to a 6-speed automatic with Sportshift. Standard on the ZDX is Acura’s exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system providing outstanding cornering ability as well as excellent all-season capability.

The interior design of the ZDX is titled a “2+Freedom,” which translates into plenty of room for the front occupants, adequate cargo space for weekend vacations, and comfortable rear passengers’ space for two adults. The ZDX does seat five; however, Acura recommends to keep the trip short. A new manufacturing processes allows the ZDX leather to precisely follow the complex lines of the instrument panel, center console and door panels.

The interior on my fully-loaded Advance edition was two-tone with beautiful lines as the center console flowed into the dash with elegance. The cabin area with rich leather appointments gives the 2012 Acura ZDX a warm, comfortable, and airy feel. The cabin is well lit due to the extensive use of LED lighting along with natural light shining through from the panoramic sunroof.

The ZDX is tuned to provide an ideal balance of precision handling, road isolation, and damping. For its size and mass, the ZDX feels surprisingly light and agile. The suspension is made up of front Macpherson struts and rear multi-link that uses specially-tuned coil springs, dampers, and anti-roll bar for a quiet luxurious ride and handling.
Room for improvement:

• Rear declining roof line does compromise space for the rear passengers

Cool Features:

• Rich with advanced technology features on upscale models
• Push button start
• Cool Sports-coupe design

The standard safety equipment for the 2012 Acura ZDX model includes ACE™ is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. ACE™ utilizes a network of connected structural elements to more-evenly distribute crash energy throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment and can help to equally disperse the forces transferred to other vehicles in a crash.

Also included safety features are: multiple-threshold front airbags, dual-chamber side airbags with a front passenger side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), front seats with active head restraints, knee bolsters for front occupants, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor and front seatbelts with an automatic tensioning system with integrated load limiters. In addition, the 2012 ZDX has a Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) along with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

In Summary – The 2012 Acura ZDX offers an original twist to the crossover concept. The merging is of distinctive sport coupe-like styling with a high-level of refinement with Acura’s confident durability record and high resale value. It is bold, unique, comfortable, and very powerful. The ZDX will not be for everyone; however, if you are looking for a vehicle that stands out from the crowd and can reliably and with confidence take you on the snowy weekend trips, then the 2012 Acura ZDX is worth putting on your to-buy list.

Specifications
2012 Acura ZDX Advance

Base price: $56,670 as driven: $57,455 (including destination)
Engine: 3.7-Liter 6 cylinder
Horsepower: 300 @ 6300
Torque: 270 foot pounds @ 4500
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic with Sportshift
Drive: All Wheel-Drive
Seating: 5-passenger
Turning circle: 38.4 feet
Cargo space: 26.3 cubic feet
Curb weight: 4,462 pounds
Fuel capacity: 21 gallons
EPA mileage: City 16 / Highway 23
Wheel Base: 108.3 inches
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper
Also consider: BMW X6, Cadillac SRX, and Infiniti FX 35

Just finished a wonderful cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii and back. Trivia games were played every day and were well attended. It goes to show you that elderly people have fun too. Let’s try some of Princess Cruise Lines’ questions. I am sure there is no licensing problem.

1. What is the only word in the English language that ends with the letters “mt”?
2. Where were the 1936 Summer Olympics played?
3. Hitler coined his oppressive society as the Third Reich. What was the First Reich?
4. In what movie did Paul Newman play “Fast Eddie Felson” and win an Oscar for doing so?
5. Cher sang a song devoted to “Gypsies, Tramps and who?
6. What two countries fought in the 1600s in the “Bishop’s War?”

April Answers

1. Alvin Dark
2. Buddy Ebse
3. Jose Feliciano
4. Jack Kemp
5. Edie Hart
6. Fibber McGee and Molly

WIN LUNCH ON BEN!
The first person to email or mail, no calls please, the correct answers to all of the above questions will win a $25 gift certificate for The Uptown Cafe in downtown Danville, compliments of Ben Fernandez! Entries must be received by May 20, 2012. In the event of a tie, the winner will be drawn at random. Please email your answers to info@aliveeastbay.com, or mail to ALIVE East Bay, 3200 A Danville Blvd., Ste. 204, Alamo, CA 94507.
Employees and family members of employees of ALIVE East Bay are not eligible. Restaurant may be changed without notice.

“How perfect does your child have to be?”

Vincent Freeman (interesting last name) is a God Child conceived on the Riviera. The car, that is.

Gattaca is Science Fiction Drama at its finest; a little bit out there and a whole lot believable. Released in 1998, this film still seems fresh. Somehow, Sci-Fi isn’t supposed to seem believable after 14 years. Back to the Riviera.  Vincent’s (Ethan Hawke) parents created a God Child in a time when genetic engineering was “just what you did” if you could afford it. He had flaws compared to what he could have been. His brother born a little later got the advantage, a better genetic quotient.

Vincent spent his life comparing himself to his brother and striving against all odds for a different life. He dreamed of breaking free from society’s constraints and traveling into space. His vision was to be a Navigator for the Gattaca Corporation.

Problem One … Navigators had to be “Valids”. If you were one of the natural born minority, there was no future in space flight. Enters Tony Shalhoub, under the radar, DNA Broker and Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), a “Valid” with a broken body.

I am so tempted to tell you how they did it, but I won’t. Vincent aka Jerome is accepted at Gattaca and begins to prepare for his space journey. Boy meets girl, Uma Thurman, who also works for Gattaca. His “Valid” brother also comes into the picture creating the tension a good movie needs. New Zealand screenwriter Andrew Niccol has his Directorial debut along with Alan Arkin who also acts in this film.

One of the things I thought kind of creepy was the automaton aspect of the employees of Gattaca. They dressed alike, talked alike and almost looked alike. As they entered the building they went through a type of turn-style that pricked their fingers for a blood sample to determine their validity. This is an environment that one eyelash could give away a ruse.

Gattaca is so morally complex; I’m not sure where to start. Can anyone spell HITLER? Have you read about the work of Planned Parenthood in the Appalachians? Eugenics is an evil thing. That is one woman’s perspective. Designer children are an abomination to God.  He doesn’t make junk and I think anyone who ever raised a handicapped child would agree. Vincent’s parents believed that a child of love would be happier so they put their faith in God’s hands. Then the specialists started talking to them about what could be done to improve their next child. The genetic engineering vs. education and experience is one topic still bandied about depending on what social circles you enjoy. I truly understand wanting what is best for your child. In some cities people are vying for a slot in a pre-school before their child is born. (So much for Big Bird!) We have a Creator who fashions perfect specimens every day, every minute.

I would ask a bigger question. What “validates” you? Do people validate you? Does your degree on the wall or money in the bank validate you? Hmmm. The movie starts with a quote on the screen, “Consider what God has done; who can straighten what He has made crooked?” This isn’t fatalism but a reminder of who God is. So, to quote Vincent at the beginning of this movie, “How perfect does your child have to be?”

I write, but it is perfectly okay to push back. Either way, watch the movie and tell me what you think at chastings@rockcliff.com.

 

So, were you surprised by the recent, so-called GSA (General Services Administration) scandal? Shocked? Maybe. Alarmed? Angry? You should be both! It was our money they were spending and as of this writing, with hearings just getting started, it looks as though this is just the tip of the iceberg.

I doubt that you were surprised. How could you be? With out-of-control spending in Washington having ballooned our national debt to nearly 16 trillion dollars—that’s sixteen TRILLION, with a “T”—we all knew that “oversights” like this were probably common. We just don’t want to believe it. I don’t know about you, but for me it’s a bad dream where I keep repeating, “This can’t be happening. There’s no way they would do this.” But they do, do it—and they just keep on doing it.

I grew up in the 1960s—the era of Vietnam and “flower power,” when mistrust of big government became mainstream. Maybe you weren’t around yet but some of us remember the revelations of $400 hammers and thousand-dollar toilet seats—all products of the “military-industrial complex.” This propensity to spend without limit is nothing new, but the problem is, it’s getting worse, as that glaring “T” number above bears witness.

One thousand, thousand is one million. One thousand, million is one billion. A thousand billion is one trillion. To get a picture of what a trillion dollars looks like, a stack of $1,000 bills, four inches high, is one million dollars. A stack of $1,000 bills 358 feet high is a billion dollars. With a trillion, your stack is 67.9 MILES high. You’d have to be launched ten times higher than the space station orbit—over 1,086 miles into space—just to see the top of a stack of $1,000 bills. hat is our current (and growing) national debt.

Just how much debt is that, really?  It translates into over $50,000 dollars for every citizen—every man, woman, child, infant—in the United States. Is that a lot? The Treasury Secretary of the United States, Timothy Geithner, apparently doesn’t think so. He recently appeared on Meet the Press and spoke of our national debt as if it were little more than a modest nuisance—something that will be handled in due time.

I know I’ll get some flack for saying this, but my 1960’s upbringing won’t allow me suppress it, so here goes: Thank God for the Tea Party! They were the ones that most recently started shining some light into the filthy, black hole of unaccountable government spending.

As the GSA debacle unfolds, we shouldn’t be surprised to learn about legions of other “public servants,” caught in the act of shredding, burning or erasing the telltale tracks of outrageous waste.

I’ve always heard that trust is something you earn. But when those “T” dollars are thrown around, without so much as a faint appreciation of the fact that it came to them by way of the sweat of your (and my) brow, to my way of thinking, the GSA and their ilk have yet to earn even one red cent’s worth.